Drone as First Responder Pilot Program Public Portal
Mission
The mission of the Los Angeles Police Department’s Drone as First Responder (DFR) Pilot Program 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 Pilot Program 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.
Approximately 1,500 law enforcement agencies across the United States have established drone programs that serve various functions, with 58 of these located in California. Notably, in 2018, the Chula Vista Police Department was the first to use drones as first responders and establish the DFR concept. 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 Pilot Program?
The DFR Pilot Program 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 the 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 Improving Situational Awareness: The program assists patrol officers in assessing situations more effectively, leading to improved decision-making during critical incidents.
What are the DFR Pilot Program uses?
The program performs several key functions that enhance public safety and support Los Angeles Police Department officers. The DFR Pilot Program does not use drones for patrols. Instead, the drone responds to citizen calls and, at the request of officers at the 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 Pilot Program Flight Dashboard
For more information about the types of calls responded to and DFR flights, please visit the DFR Pilot Program Flight link:
DFR Pilot Program Flight Dashboard . – For flights August 16 – July 1, 2025.
https://cloud.skydio.com/dashboard/LAPD – For current flights
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 Pilot Program policy and AB 481:
Office of Operations Order No. 3, Drone as First Responder Pilot Program, July 16, 2025
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. The camera is affixed to the drone using a gimbal to prevent unnecessary recording and to respect the privacy of citizens. Upon reaching the location or person of interest, the affixed camera will begin recording until the police interaction concludes.
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 must be stored in accordance with Department, City of Los Angeles, State, and Federal standards for law enforcement, following the same guidelines as Body Worn Video recordings.
Questions or Concerns?
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the DFR Pilot Program, please reach out, and Department personnel will respond as soon as possible. Email: LAPDDFR@lapd.online