Originally developed for military purposes, the transition of drones into law enforcement has been a natural, albeit slow, progression. The first law enforcement drone program was a collaboration between the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Chula Vista Police Department in California in 2016. Since then, thousands of police, fire, and emergency departments across the United States have implemented drone programs. Today, having drone capabilities in local law enforcement or emergency services is considered a hallmark of living in a community of the future.

Making things even better, the FAA has continued to work closely with select departments to further enable drone missions. One such community is Redmond, Washington. Perhaps best known for being the home of Microsoft, Redmond has embraced drone technology for some time now. The Redmond Police Department (RPD), which serves a population of more than 80,000, first launched its drone program in 2019. For Police Chief Darrell Lowe and his 88 sworn officers, drones have been a force multiplier that allows officers to better serve and protect the residents of Redmond.

In 2024, in collaboration with the FAA, the RPD implemented its Drone as First Responders (DFR) program. The department’s website explains the program as follows: “A drone is flown remotely by a commissioned officer as the pilot and dispatched to calls along with patrol officers. The DFR can arrive faster than ground units, providing information about the incident and broadcasting video to any computer, tablet, or phone. Once overhead, the drone pilot can assess the situation and cancel the ground response if appropriate, freeing up emergency vehicles for other priority calls.” The website also notes the different ways drones help protect the community while keeping officers safe and providing transparency on all drone operations as a public record.

After spending a year testing the DFR program and educating a dedicated team of FAA-approved drone pilots, the RPD released data showing that drones had been used to respond to 380 calls, assist in the arrests of 20 suspects, and help locate 40 individuals over the course of 5 months. When revealing this data, the RPD also announced that they would be the first police department in the state to receive a special waiver from the FAA to begin using drones BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight). For nearly anyone invested in the drone industry, achieving BVLOS capabilities is one of the ultimate goals that will allow drones to be used to their full potential.

Just before the new year, the department had the opportunity to share with the public how beneficial the BVLOS program would be for officers and residents by releasing footage from a successful drone mission. “On Nov. 27, at around 6 p.m., Redmond officers were dispatched to a reported physical domestic violence assault in the area of 164th Ave. NE and Redmond Way. Upon arrival, officers attempted to detain the suspect, but he fled on foot into the wooded area of the Bear Creek Trail,” the department announced on X. “Our Drone as First Responder provided live visuals of the suspect.” The post included footage of the drone being used BVLOS to track the suspect while officers remained at a safe distance. Once the drone, equipped with a thermal imaging camera, located the suspect, officers with a K9 unit could safely enter the dark woods to apprehend the individual.

Chief Lowe could not have been more proud of his officers and his community for embracing this next step in law enforcement drone usage. “As a premier law enforcement agency, this approval exemplifies our commitment to leveraging advanced and innovative technology to protect our community,” Chief Lowe said. “This is a monumental step toward improving response times and enhancing public safety, efficiency, and potential applications.”

The continued integration of drones into law enforcement is a game-changer for public safety, offering faster response times, enhanced situational awareness, and increased officer safety. As the technology advances with the incorporation of BVLOS operations, the implications of just how beneficial drones for law enforcement will be are limitless. As drones continue to evolve, their potential to transform law enforcement operations and enhance community safety will only grow, paving the way for a more efficient and secure future.

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