Police departments test drone systems for 911 response

Police departments in Washington are testing ‘Drones as First Responders’ (DFR) programs to assist with 911 calls. The initiatives aim to provide officers with real-time intelligence before they arrive at a scene, potentially increasing safety in dangerous situations.

The Auburn Police Department is currently trialing an automated system using Skydio X10 drones and docking stations. In more than 50 flights, the drones arrived before officers in 47.1% of responses and provided helpful intelligence in 88.2% of those instances. The department has received an FAA waiver to conduct flights beyond the visual line of sight and has established flight restrictions with the local municipal airport to ensure safety.

Simultaneously, the Shoreline Police Department and the King County Sheriff’s Office are partnering with Skydio to evaluate the effectiveness of a DFR program. During recent testing, drones were the first on the scene 75% of the time. In 25% of those cases, the drone operators were able to clear the calls without requiring a physical patrol response.

Both programs emphasize that the drones are not intended for general surveillance or continuous monitoring. They are dispatched specifically in response to 911 calls, and the drones are not equipped with license plate readers.