Huntington Beach Police launch drone first responders to hit scenes in under 2 minutes

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. — The Huntington Beach Police Department (HBPD) is expanding its use of drones to improve emergency response times, marking a significant shift in how law enforcement deploys technology to support frontline operations. The agency’s newly launched Drone as a First Responder (DFR) program positions unmanned aircraft as rapid-response tools in emergencies, with police officials calling the initiative a “game changer” for both officers and the community, according to KABC.

A Remote Launch System to Speed Up Response

Unlike traditional drone units that require onsite piloting, HBPD’s DFR program operates drones remotely from the department’s Real-Time Crime Center. Once a service call comes in, pilots can launch drones directly from fixed positions around the city, rather than dispatching them from police vehicles.

This allows drones to take flight within seconds of a call and arrive on scene in under two minutes—dramatically faster than the average patrol car. “One of the biggest advantages of this program is how quickly we can get on scene to support investigations and prosecutions,” said Detective Taylor Davoren, a first-responder drone pilot. “In most cases, suspects or vehicle descriptions are critical, but if it takes an officer five minutes to arrive, those details might be gone.”

Currently, three drones are strategically placed across Huntington Beach: one downtown, and two more covering the north and central districts. Officials say the system will be fully operational within two weeks.

Reducing Strain on Patrol Units

Beyond faster response, HBPD views drones as a way to relieve pressure on patrol units. Police Lt. Chris Nesmith, who manages the drone program, pointed to other large agencies, including New York and Chicago, where drones now absorb up to 25% of service calls traditionally handled by officers.

“So if you can imagine cutting 25 percent of the calls for service that the patrol officer would normally handle being handled by the drone,” said Nesmith. “That’s going to allow those officers to go out and do much more proactive work and serve the public better and not waste as much time on false calls or calls where they’re not needed.”

This shift could mean more officers available for high-priority incidents, reducing burnout while improving community coverage.

Safety and Situational Awareness

HBPD emphasizes that its drone program is reactive, not proactive. Drones are not set to patrol neighborhoods or perform routine surveillance; instead, they only launch once a 911 call or police request comes in. By arriving ahead of ground units, drones provide near-real-time video of unfolding situations.

That early aerial assessment not only helps track suspects but also improves officer safety. Huntington Beach Mayor Pat Burns, a former law enforcement pilot, highlighted the tactical advantage:

“With that eye in the sky, within minutes at times, you can nail that person and the perimeter is broken down. And guys can go back to doing what they do and serving the people on the streets.”

A Growing Model for U.S. Policing

Huntington Beach joins a growing list of American cities exploring drone-first responder models that blend rapid mobility, aerial surveillance, and centralized piloting. With measurable reductions in response times—dropping to about 1 minute, 55 seconds in Huntington Beach—the approach signals a new era in how police deploy technology to close crucial gaps between a 911 call and officer arrival.

As drones continue to shift from supplementary to frontline public safety tools, programs like Huntington Beach’s could become a template for mid-sized cities nationwide.

Photos courtesy of ABC 7.