In this article we’ll take a deep dive into law enforcement drones, covering what a police drone is, the history of drones in law enforcement, the top police drones on the market, the different ways police use drones, and more.

Since then, more and more police departments have started drone programs. As of 2022, over 1,000 police departments in the United States had adopted drone technology.

Now that we’ve covered an array of use cases, let’s dive deeper, and look at some real-world examples of how police departments and other law enforcement agencies are actually using drones in their work.

A Drone as First Responder (DFR) program refers to the automatic deployment of drones to the scene of an incident immediately upon receiving a 911 call, providing real-time situational awareness to first responders as they travel to the scene.

In hazardous environments like chemical spills or collapsed buildings, drones gather critical information without putting officers at risk, ensuring their safety while obtaining necessary data.

And there are so many uses for cop drones that they can vary widely in size and capability, ranging from small quadcopters to larger, more sophisticated hexacopters with extended flight times and broader payload capacities.

By the end of 2016—just three years after Mesa’s foray into the use of drones for public safety work—about 350 public safety agencies had acquired drones, including 167 police departments. These early drone programs focused primarily on traffic accident reconstruction, surveillance, and monitoring large events.

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During large public events or protests, drones monitor crowd movements, identify potential hazards, and assist in crowd control efforts, ensuring public safety.

Extended flight times and transmission ranges are critical for covering large areas and prolonged operations. Drones like the DJI Matrice 350 RTK offer flight times up to 55 minutes and transmission ranges up to 9.3 miles, allowing for extensive surveillance, suspect pursuit, and monitoring without frequent battery changes​.

Police drones often carry multiple sensors to enhance their versatility. For example, the DJI Matrice 350 RTK can be equipped with various payloads, including high-resolution cameras, thermal sensors, and night vision cameras. This multi-sensor capability allows a single drone to perform multiple functions, from surveillance to thermal imaging, in a single flight​.

The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) has integrated drones into its operations for tactical missions, including SWAT operations and hostage situations.

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In SWAT operations or hostage situations, SWAT drones—another term for a police drone—provide crucial intelligence on suspect locations and movements, enabling safer and more strategic decision-making.

It’s worth noting that, among all the types of public safety agencies, police are the ones using drones the most, with fire departments a distant second.

A few years back, officers used drones after a major traffic collision to capture detailed aerial imagery of the scene, which was then used to create accurate 3D models to investigate the cause of the crash. This process significantly reduced the time required for on-site investigation, minimizing traffic disruptions and allowing the road to reopen more quickly.

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Drones provide surveillance along borders, detecting illegal crossings and assisting border patrol agents in apprehending individuals attempting to enter the country unlawfully.

The Daytona Beach Police Department (DBPD) employs drones for traffic accident reconstruction and investigation, among other use cases.

Drones assist in tracking and apprehending fugitives by providing aerial views of search areas, reducing the risk to officers and increasing the chances of a successful capture.

There are several other drones out there that can be used by law enforcement—here are some common characteristics to look for when vetting a drone for police work.

One of the first instances of a law enforcement agency employing drones was in 2013, when the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office in Colorado began using them in search and rescue missions and crime scene investigations.

This surge in adoption was driven by the decreasing costs of drones and the increasing recognition of their utility in various operational contexts for police work.

Drones help detect and monitor illegal activities such as poaching, illegal logging, and unauthorized land use, providing valuable evidence for prosecutions.

By deploying drones to incident scenes, police departments can reduce the need for multiple ground units and allocate resources more strategically. Additionally, the ability to capture aerial imagery and live video feeds helps departments improve the overall quality of incident documentation and evidence collection.

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As drone technology has become more prevalent, it’s also become more specialized. And with that specialization we’ve seen drones and supporting software developed specifically for the needs of several types of jobs, including law enforcement.

These days, police drones—also known as cop drones or law enforcement drones—have become indispensable tools in modern policing.

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According to the FAA, the number of drones used by public safety agencies will be over 30,000 by 2025, representing a growth of 300% from the 10,000 in use by PSAs in 2020.

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Now that we’ve gone over the top police drones on the market it’s time to get concrete, and look at specific use cases for drones in policing.

Equipped with thermal imaging and high-resolution cameras, drones help locate missing persons, including children and vulnerable adults, in challenging terrains and adverse weather conditions.

Aerial imagery from drones helps document crime scenes comprehensively, preserving evidence and providing detailed perspectives that ground-based photos might miss.

After Hurricane Harvey, drones were deployed to assess damage, locate stranded individuals, and survey flood-affected areas. The aerial imagery provided by drones helped in coordinating rescue operations and allocating resources effectively, contributing to a more efficient response effort​.

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Despite regulatory hurdles making them hard to launch, DFR programs have been slowly growing throughout police departments in the U.S.

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Equipped with loudspeakers, drones disseminate important information to the public during emergencies, evacuations, or large gatherings, enhancing communication and public safety.

Real-time video transmission provides instant situational awareness to officers on the ground. Drones equipped with this capability, such as the BRINC LEMUR 2, can stream live footage to command centers, enabling real-time decision-making and coordination during emergencies and tactical operations.

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This innovative program was developed as part of the FAA’s UAS Integration Pilot Program (IPP), which aimed to test and evaluate the integration of drones into national airspace.

High-resolution cameras are a standard feature on most police drones, providing detailed imagery for surveillance, crime scene documentation, and search and rescue operations. Cameras on drones like the DJI Matrice 350 RTK and Parrot ANAFI USA offer resolutions up to 48 MP, enabling officers to capture clear and precise images from the air.

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The Chula Vista Police Department (CVPD) has been at the forefront of integrating drones into law enforcement work for years.

The Chula Vista Police Department (CVPD) in California pioneered the first Drone as First Responder (DFR) program in the United States in 2018.

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In one notable case, a drone equipped with thermal imaging was used to locate a suspect hiding in a dark, enclosed area. The drone’s live feed allows officers to approach and apprehend the suspect without putting themselves at unnecessary risk.

Drones patrol borders and coastal areas, identifying and tracking suspicious vessels or individuals involved in drug trafficking or smuggling activities.

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After natural disasters, drones assess damage, identify hazards, and help coordinate response efforts, ensuring efficient use of resources and faster recovery.

Since launching the first Drone as First Responder (DFR) program in 2018, CVPD has seen significant improvements in response times and situational awareness. CVPD deploys drones to the scene of an incident immediately after a 911 call, providing real-time video feed to officers en route. This capability has helped in various scenarios, including locating suspects, monitoring large events, assessing crime scenes, and significantly reducing the number of calls officers respond to.

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Thermal imaging is crucial for operations in low-visibility conditions, such as nighttime or in smoke and fog. Drones like the DJI Mavic 3 Thermal and Skydio X2 are equipped with thermal sensors that detect heat signatures, allowing officers to locate suspects, missing persons, or hazardous materials that aren’t visible to the naked eye.

But it wasn’t until the mid-2010s that drone technology became widely accessible and affordable for police departments. Initially, military-grade drones were the primary models available, but advancements in commercial drone technology have since led to a broader range of options for public safety agencies (PSAs).

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The Mesa Sheriff’s early adoption led the way for the use of drones by law enforcement elsewhere, showcasing the value drones could provide public safety operations by providing aerial perspectives that were otherwise difficult or even impossible to obtain.

But as an overview, drones provide law enforcement with a bird’s-eye view of unfolding situations in real time, allowing officers to gather critical information without putting themselves in harm’s way.

High-resolution cameras on drones capture detailed evidence in various investigations, including illegal dumping, wildlife crimes, and property damage.

As part of the IPP, CVPD received special FAA approval to fly drones BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight), which is otherwise prohibited under the Part 107 rules.

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Here are the top five police drones on the market, including information on their primary use cases, price range, supply chain  details, and key features.

Police drones are designed to withstand harsh environments and adverse weather conditions. Models like the DJI Matrice 350 RTK and Parrot ANAFI USA feature rugged, weather-resistant designs with high IP ratings, ensuring reliable performance in rain, wind, and extreme temperatures.

But a drone doesn’t have to be made just for law enforcement to qualify as a police drone. Many high-quality commercial drones can be used effectively by trained police officers.

The approval to operate BVLOS was a game-changer, allowing CVPD to deploy drones over a wider area without requiring a visual observer to maintain line of sight with the drone. This capability significantly expanded the operational range of its drones, enhancing their effectiveness in responding to emergencies and providing situational awareness.

Drones monitor traffic flow, identify congestion points, and assist in managing traffic during peak hours or major events, improving overall traffic management.

Want to learn more about how public safety agencies are using drones? Check out our in-depth guide, What Is a Public Safety Drone?

Drones provide real-time aerial views of large areas, helping officers monitor public events, track suspects, and gather intelligence without being detected.

Drones capture detailed aerial images of accident scenes, allowing investigators to reconstruct incidents accurately and efficiently, minimizing road closures and disruptions.

The NYPD’s drones provide a live feed to command centers, helping officers monitor crowd movements, identify potential hazards, and respond quickly to incidents. In 2024, the NYPD launched its own DFR program, which deploys drones to the scene of gunshots as soon as they’re detected by a system called ShotSpotter.

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Artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomous flight capabilities are becoming increasingly common in police drones. These technologies enable drones to navigate complex environments, avoid obstacles, and conduct missions with minimal human intervention. Skydio is known for its autonomy—its Skydio X2 has advanced AI for obstacle avoidance and autonomous flight, making it ideal for dynamic and challenging scenarios​.

Drones enhance perimeter security around critical infrastructure, prisons, and other high-security areas by providing continuous aerial surveillance and detecting intrusions.

Drones like the Parrot ANAFI USA and BRINC LEMUR 2 come with loudspeakers and two-way communication systems, allowing police officers to broadcast messages or communicate directly with individuals on the ground. This feature is particularly useful for crowd control, hostage negotiations, and disaster response​.

These programs have been particularly effective in urban areas, where traffic congestion and complex environments can delay traditional response times.