Drone as First Responder Unit Transparency Portal
Drone as First Responder Unit
From July 16, 2025, to August 13, 2026, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) conducted the Drone as First Responder (DFR) Pilot Program. The aim of this pilot was to assess the feasibility of using small Unmanned Aircraft Systems, commonly known as drones, to implement the DFR model across the Department’s geographic patrol Areas. Since its inception, the program has achieved its objectives and demonstrated a positive impact on public safety. Due to the successes gained from the pilot phase, the Department established the Drone as First Responder Unit on August 13, 2026.
Mission
The mission of the LAPD’s DFR Unit is to protect the lives of both citizens and first responders. This innovative program not only aims to enhance transparency in Department operations but also prioritizes the protection of individual privacy. By deploying drones as an invaluable resource for patrol officers, the DFR Unit provides a cutting-edge tool that can respond swiftly to emergencies, ensuring a safer environment for all.
What is DFR?
Drone as First Responder works by deploying a drone immediately to the scene of an emergency call. This allows officers to gain real-time situational awareness through the drone operator relaying information while officers are responding to a call for service or incident. This assists by providing crucial information before they arrive at the scene of an incident or call for service.
Many law enforcement agencies across the United States have established drone programs that serve various functions. Notably, in 2018, the Chula Vista Police Department was the first to use drones as first responders and establish the DFR model. The use of a drone can significantly enhance officers’ ability to assess the scene before their arrival and provide essential intelligence regarding the optimal deployment of resources.
What are the objectives of the DFR Unit?
The DFR Unit aims to accomplish several goals that will improve the effectiveness of the Department. The primary objective is to create a more efficient and responsive law enforcement agency for the residents of the City of Los Angeles. Other objectives include:
· Reduce Response Times: The program aims to shorten the response times to calls for service, ensuring that assistance arrives quickly and that officers receive important information before they arrive on scene.
· Document Incidents for Criminal Prosecution: The focus is on accurately documenting incidents to support potential criminal prosecutions, helping to build strong cases within the judicial system.
· Optimize Department Resources: The insight gained from aerial intelligence can help determine if fewer officers are needed and allow for their reallocation to other calls for service.
· Enhance Officer Safety: By providing real-time situational awareness, officers can better assess threats and make informed decisions before entering potentially hazardous situations.
· Help Ground Personnel: The program assists patrol officers in better assessing situations, which leads to improved decision-making during critical incidents, ultimately aiming for better outcomes for all parties involved.
What are the DFR Unit’s uses?
The program performs several key functions that enhance public safety and support Los Angeles Police Department officers. The DFR Unit does not patrol with the drones. Instead, the drone responds to citizen calls and, at the request of officers at scene, provides effective communication and support in various situations. They are vital in assisting during hazardous or high-risk scenarios and help with searches in low-visibility conditions, further improving the efficiency of emergency responses.
DFR Unit Flight Dashboard
For more information about the types of calls responded to and DFR flights, please visit the DFR Unit Flight Dashboard using the link below:
Flight data for flights July 16 – August 16, 2025:
DFR Pilot Program Flight Dashboard
For current flight data:
DFR Unit Flight Dashboard
Assembly Bill 481 and LAPD Policy.
To assist officers in their duties, the Department maintains an inventory of and continually procures law enforcement equipment items identified as “military equipment” by California Assembly Bill (AB) 481. Under this assembly bill, drones are classified as military equipment. The Department recognizes that the deployment of these items is a matter of public interest. Below is a link to the Department’s DFR Unit policy and AB 481:
Operations Order No. 1, Drone as First Responder Unit – Established, dated August 13, 2026:
Public Privacy and Digital Recordings.
As you traverse the City of Los Angeles and hear the familiar whirring of a drone overhead, you may wonder, “Is that drone watching me?” Unless you are in the commission of a crime or under criminal investigation for the commission of a crime, the officers utilizing the drone are not interested in recording you. Upon reaching the location or person of interest, the camera will begin recording until the police interaction concludes, mirroring the Department’s body-worn video policy.
Operators must comply with Federal Aviation Administration altitude regulations and are prohibited from intentionally recording or transmitting images of any location where individuals would reasonably expect privacy, such as residences, yards, or enclosed areas, unless they have a warrant or exigent circumstances. Additionally, all drone recordings are stored in accordance with Department, City of Los Angeles, State, and Federal standards for law enforcement.
Questions or Concerns?
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the DFR Unit, please reach out, and Department personnel will respond as soon as possible. Email: LAPDDFR@lapd.online