Aerial Drone as First Responder (DFR)

Mission:

The mission of the West Palm Beach Police Department’s (WPBPD) Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) program is to provide airborne support to police operations in a safe, responsible and transparent manner to preserve the peace, reduce response times and increase the quality of life in West Palm Beach.

Overview:

Small, remotely-operated UAS, also commonly referred to as drones, are an efficient and effective way of providing law enforcement critical information to respond to calls for service and emergency situations, or to conduct criminal investigations. Some examples include providing an overhead view of an area or incident for ground personnel, safely clearing the interior of buildings, providing detailed documentation of crime and accident scenes and searching for lost or missing persons.

History:

The West Palm Beach Police Department launched its Drone as First Responder (DFR) program in July 2024 using the Skydio X-10 platform based on the nationally recognized Chula Vista model. The initiative marked several milestones: West Palm Beach became the first crew-led DFR program in Florida and the first in the nation to deploy the Skydio X-10 integrated with Axon Air, Fusus, Axon Body Camera 4, and Evidence.com.

The department’s unmanned aircraft systems program began in 2017 as a patrol-based initiative designed to provide aerial situational awareness for officers responding to calls for service. Operated by FAA Part 107–certified pilots, drones were used to locate fleeing suspects, search for missing persons, and support officers during critical incidents. Between 2017 and 2022, the program conducted more than 528 missions using DJI Phantom and Matrice 210 platforms.

In 2022, legislative changes in Florida required the department to suspend operations until a drone platform that met updated statutory requirements became available. The introduction of the Skydio X-10 in late 2023 provided the technology needed to relaunch the program with expanded capabilities.

Launching one of the nation’s first Skydio-based DFR programs required close collaboration with engineers and field representatives to address early challenges involving signal reliability and live-streaming capabilities. Through that partnership, the department helped establish operational standards for the emerging Skydio DFR ecosystem.

Before operating independently, pilots completed more than 40 hours of in-person training on the Skydio X-10 platform, including NIST proficiency testing, tactical flight operations, and remote flight training before transitioning to Skydio’s Remote Flight Deck.

Since launching in 2024, the program has completed more than 1,900 flights totaling approximately 395 flight hours and more than 2,700 miles flown. Drones have arrived first on scene in more than 50 percent of calls, providing critical intelligence such as locating fleeing suspects, tracking suspect vehicles, and identifying victims using thermal imaging — often before officers arrive.

The program has supported a wide range of public safety operations, including locating missing persons, providing aerial overwatch during SWAT deployments, and assisting in the apprehension of violent offenders.

The program’s innovation and impact have been recognized nationally. The West Palm Beach Police Department received the 2025 Aerial Achievement Award for Best New Drone as First Responder Program, presented annually by Skydio to honor outstanding drone programs and mission impact across industries. Selected from a highly competitive field of submissions, the award highlights the department’s leadership in advancing drone technology to enhance officer safety, improve response times, and deliver critical intelligence when it matters most. 

Drone-Related Activity Dashboard: 

Drone Flight History Maps: 

To achieve public transparency, WPBPD uses drone software to track all flights launched by the department. The drone flight logs provide timely updates and accurate reports on all flight data. At times, the data provided may differ from actual flight data but is checked for accuracy regularly. WPBPD's policies prohibit drone operators from intentionally recording or transmitting images of any location where a person would have a reasonable expectation of privacy, except where authorized by a warrant issued by a judge or in emergency situations. 

Beginning in April 2024, WPBPD partnered with Airdata and Skydio to provide information on every flight by a WPBPD drone. Click here to access recent flight data.

 

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