New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Police Department (NYPD) Interim Commissioner Tom Donlon on November 13, 2024, announced the “Drone as First Responder” (DFR) program, which leverages the latest in aerial autonomous vehicle technology to enhance the NYPD’s emergency-response capabilities as the agency fulfills its mission to keep New Yorkers safe. The DFR program is now operational in five commands in three boroughs, marking a successful expansion of the NYPD’s unmanned aircraft systems initiative.
Located at the 67th, 71st, and 75th police precincts in Brooklyn; the 48th Police Precinct in the Bronx; and the Central Park Precinct in Manhattan, the 10 newest drones — two per command — will be deployed remotely and fly autonomously to the exact longitude and latitude of select priority public safety calls, including searches for missing people, alerts from the ShotSpotter gunshot detection system, incidents of robberies and grand larcenies, and other crimes in progress as needed. The rapid deployment of DFR drones based at station houses supplements the NYPD’s in-person patrol response to 911 calls by supplying high-definition audio and video that is accessible, in real-time, on officers' and supervisors’ department-issued smartphones.
“When New Yorkers need help, our first responders are always there as quickly as possible to ensure their safety,” said Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Chauncey Parker. “This program adds a powerful tool to our toolkit, enabling police to respond faster and with more accurate information. By using technology to improve efficiency and services, we’re helping those who protect us do their jobs better when every second counts and we’re making our communities even more safe.”
Every DFR flight is commanded and monitored by an NYPD officer certified as a drone pilot by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). DFR pilots are situated at the Joint Operations Center at police headquarters in lower Manhattan or at one of the department’s off-site Technical Assistance and Response Unit (TARU) stations. Pilots remotely control the drones on a computer screen that displays a live feed, enabling them to make initial scene assessments and quickly broadcast over police radios detailed descriptions of suspects and other timely information considered valuable to central dispatchers and arriving patrol officers. Each DFR mission is additionally monitored in real time by a member of the NYPD’s Legal Bureau. With the launch of the DFR program, the NYPD now has 100 drones of various sizes and capabilities, and more than 110 FAA-qualified drone operators. NYPD drones have been dispatched on more than 4,000 missions in the past year, including approximately 2,300 priority calls for service.
