Los Angeles Police Department's DFR pilot program delivers strong results, paving the way for full-time rollout

Synopsis

LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell is turning the department’s Drone as First Responder (DFR) pilot program into a permanent, full-time unit, and the results explain why. Flying up to 42 miles per hour, LAPD drones get eyes on the scene before patrol units arrive on 73% of dispatched calls, giving officers real-time visibility on suspects, weapons, and vehicles before they’re even on-site.

That head start recently proved critical when two drones helped locate a missing 5-year-old boy in under five minutes.