Skydio DFR study shows why police rely on drones

US drone maker Skydio has unveiled the nation’s first comprehensive study on Drone as First Responder (DFR) operations, shedding light on how drones are transforming public safety. The study analyzed 1,779 flights across various jurisdictions — from bustling metropolitan areas to quiet rural counties — between September 15 and November 14, 2024. The findings highlight the pivotal role drones play in enhancing law enforcement efficiency, ensuring officer and community safety, and providing critical situational awareness.

The study reveals that drones are dispatched for a wide array of incidents. The most frequent deployments involved property crimes such as burglary, retail theft, vehicle theft, and personal robberies. In these scenarios, drones often arrived on the scene in under two minutes, capturing suspects’ locations and guiding officers, leading to successful apprehensions.

Drones also played a crucial role in responding to assaults, domestic disturbances, and situations involving individuals displaying weapons threateningly. By providing real-time aerial footage, drones confirmed the presence of weapons and informed response strategies.

In many cases, drones facilitated vehicle or foot pursuits. Their aerial perspective allowed officers to discontinue risky ground chases, enhancing community safety. Unaware of the drone overhead, suspects often ceased fleeing, leading to safe and effective apprehensions.

A notable trend is officers directly requesting drone support to bolster their safety. Unlike helicopters, which are costly and require significant justification, drones offer a cost-effective alternative. With minimal per-flight costs, agencies are more inclined to deploy drones whenever officers need aerial assistance.

Skydio’s partnership with Axon has further streamlined this process. Now, drones can be dispatched directly to an officer’s body-worn camera location with a single click in DFR Command. This integration allows drone operators to support officers by tracking subjects, requesting additional units, or calling for medical help, acting as a force multiplier, especially for agencies operating below optimal staffing levels.

The study finds that 17% of calls for service required more than one drone flight, emphasizing the need for continuous aerial coverage. To address this, Skydio’s unique Hive model for dock-based DFR programs ensures mission continuity by keeping at least one drone on the scene until relieved by another. This approach is crucial for extended operations, such as a four-hour search and rescue mission conducted by the Las Vegas Metro Police.

For agencies with 24/7 operations, 58% of DFR flights occurred overnight, aligning with typical call volume patterns. Recognizing that most drones aren’t designed for effective night operations, Skydio developed NightSense autonomy. This feature delivers obstacle avoidance and autonomous flight in low-light conditions, ensuring confident flight during the most critical hours. Paired with Skydio’s FLIR Boson+ radiometric thermal camera, capturing essential information in the darkest conditions becomes seamless.

Skydio’s study underscores the transformative impact of drones in public safety. By providing rapid response, enhancing situational awareness, and ensuring continuous overwatch, drones are becoming indispensable tools for law enforcement agencies nationwide. As technology advances, the integration of drones into first responder operations promises to further elevate community safety and officer effectiveness.

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