Police Drones
Police Drones: Discover how drones are being used by police forces. Stay updated on the latest news and developments in law enforcement drone technology.
Silicon Valley Billionaires Fund Police Drones, Push to Ban Chinese Giant DJI
Silicon Valley investors are reshaping the U.S. drone landscape, funding police fleets with American-made drones while lobbying to ban Chinese manufacturer DJI, which dominates 90% of the U.S. consumer and public-safety drone market, according to Bard College research. This dual…
California Court Orders Chula Vista Police to Release Drone Videos, Setting Precedent for Transparency
A San Diego judge has mandated the release of 25 Chula Vista Police Department (CVPD) drone videos from March 2021, ending a four-year legal battle led by La Prensa publisher Art Castañares. This landmark ruling, reported by CBS 8, requires…
Oregon Senate Bill 238 Advances: Police Drones Set for Expanded Role in 911 Responses
On April 7, 2025, Oregon’s Senate Judiciary Committee voted 5-1 to advance Senate Bill 238, a proposal to broaden police drone use for 911 calls, suspect pursuits, and search operations, according to OregonLive. The bill, now headed to the Senate…
Dublin Police Launch Autonomous Drone First Responder Program with 90-Second Emergency Response Times
The city of Dublin, Ohio is setting a new benchmark for emergency response with the deployment of four autonomous drones capable of reaching incidents within 90 seconds. According to The Columbus Dispatch, the Drone First Responders program will be the…
Small Drone Aids Tactical Response in Phoenix Shooting
On February 22, 2025, Phoenix Police deployed a small drone during a tactical response to a shooting near 19th Avenue and Glendale Avenue, where a woman was found shot and a man was discovered dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot.…
Swedish Court Sets Precedent: First-Ever Drunk Drone Operation Conviction
In a landmark case highlighting evolving drone regulations, a Swedish court has convicted a 55-year-old man of operating a drone while intoxicated, marking the country’s first such prosecution. The drunk drone incident, which occurred at a classic car event in…
Cleveland Police Deploy Drone at Pro-Palestine Protest Despite Lacking DOJ Approval
A controversial drone deployment by Cleveland Police has sparked debate after officers used the unmanned aircraft to monitor protesters outside County Executive Chris Ronayne’s residence, despite lacking required Department of Justice authorization, reports Signal Cleveland. Unauthorized Surveillance Operation The Cleveland…
Teen Arrested in Corpus Christi After CCPD Drone Aids in Capture Following Gunfire Incident
In a demonstration of how drone technology is enhancing law enforcement capabilities, Corpus Christi Police Department (CCPD) successfully apprehended a teenage suspect who had reportedly discharged a firearm multiple times into the air on Saturday night. Incident Details CCPD gang…
State Police Drones Prove Critical in Battle Against Hudson Valley Wildfire
New York State Police drones continue to play a vital role in the ongoing battle against the Jennings Creek wildfire, which has now consumed 5,300 acres along the New York-New Jersey border. The fire, which initially challenged responders with only…
Police Drone Training Leads to Arrest of Wanted Woman in Ohio Woods
A routine thermal flight training exercise with a police drone led to the unexpected discovery and arrest of a wanted woman in Bowling Green, Ohio, according to the Sentinel Tribune. Thermal Drone Training Reveals Hidden Campsite During a training session…
NYPD Revolutionizes Emergency Response with Citywide Drone First Responder Program
In a groundbreaking move that signals a new era in urban law enforcement, the New York Police Department has launched its “Drone as First Responder” (DFR) program, deploying autonomous aerial vehicles across three boroughs. The initiative, unveiled by Mayor Eric…
Drone Helps Culver City Police Catch Car Burglar in Late-Night Search
In a swift demonstration of drone technology’s law enforcement capabilities, Culver City Police Department successfully used a drone to locate a suspect involved in a vehicle break-in, as reported by Patch. Quick Response to Late-Night Break-in The incident occurred around…