West Palm Beach Police Honored with 2025 Aerial Achievement Award
Published on September 29, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact:
Kathleen Joy, Director of Communications
City of West Palm Beach – Mayor’s Office
Phone: (561) 822-1411 (TTY: 800-955-8771)
Email: kjoy@wpb.org
West Palm Beach Police Department Honored with 2025 Aerial Achievement Award for Drone as First Responder Program
WEST PALM BEACH, FL (September 29, 2025) — The City of West Palm Beach is proud to announce that the West Palm Beach Police Department has been awarded the 2025 Aerial Achievement Award for Best New Drone as First Responder Program, presented by Skydio.
In on the award are, from left, Macario Namie, Skydio VP Marketing; Chris Stock, Skydio VP Mission Success; WPBPD Sgt. Robert Heisser; Katie Norris Skydio Customer Success Manager; Alden Jones, Skydio VP Product; Juraj Kabzan, Skydio VP Autonomy Engineering; and Ryan Reading, Skydio SVP of Software Engineering.
The West Palm Beach Police Department is the first in Florida —and the United States— to operate a Skydio X-10 based Drone as First Responder (DFR) program. This pioneering initiative enhances officer efficiency and provides real-time aerial intelligence to improve situational awareness and emergency response in high-density public environments.
“This national recognition highlights the incredible innovation happening right here in West Palm Beach,” said Mayor Keith A. James. “Our Police Department is setting the standard for how cities can harness next-generation technology to enhance public safety while building trust with the community. We are proud to lead the way.”
The award was presented at the Aerial Achievement Awards Dinner & Celebration during Skydio’s Ascend conference on September 17, 2025. Winners were selected from a competitive pool of submissions nationwide, recognizing the most impactful and mission-driven applications of Skydio technology.
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About the City of West Palm Beach
The City of West Palm Beach is a vibrant and dynamic city on Florida's Atlantic coast. With a rich history, thriving arts and cultural scene, and a commitment to sustainability, the City of West Palm Beach is a great place to live, work, and play. As one of the three largest cities making up the South Florida region and the central city of Palm Beach County, West Palm Beach is a vibrant, growing waterfront city that seamlessly blends the business advantages available in the area with a more refined and relaxed environment for living and working, making it an exceptional destination for both residents and professionals alike. To learn more about the City of West Palm Beach, visit our official website or follow us on our social media: Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter), and LinkedIn.
To contact the City of West Palm Beach, please dial (561) 822-1200 (TTY 800 955-8771). For information about the City of West Palm Beach, please visit: https://www.wpb.org/home
About West Palm Beach Police Department
The West Palm Beach Police Department is committed to safeguarding the lives and property of residents through proactive policing, community engagement, and the adoption of cutting-edge technology. Serving one of Florida’s most vibrant cities, the department continually seeks innovative solutions to improve public safety and service delivery.
About Skydio
Skydio is the leading U.S. drone manufacturer and world leader in autonomous flight technology. Skydio drones are used by public safety agencies, utilities, and defense organizations to conduct safer, faster, and more effective operations in the field.