City of Sacramento launches first-responder drone trial program

The Sacramento Police Department (SPD), in partnership with the Sacramento Fire Department (SFD), is set to launch an innovative Drone First Responder (DFR) Trial Program aimed at enhancing public safety and reducing response times.

The program, starting Nov. 20, will deploy small uncrewed aerial systems (UAS), or drones, to respond to calls for service in the Del Paso Heights area. Operating from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday, the drones will cover a two-mile radius from a fixed location.

The DFR program will provide critical overwatch before first responders arrive, verify information on the ground, and assist in area searches. By integrating drones into their operations, the SPD and SFD aim to improve community service, optimize resource allocation and analyze response data.

"We're always looking for ways to enhance public safety and support our first responders with innovative tools," said Sacramento Police Sgt. Dan Wiseman. "This program will allow us to respond faster, assess situations more accurately, and serve our community more effectively-all while prioritizing transparency and privacy."

The Del Paso Heights area was strategically selected for the trial based on call volume, crime patterns, and current patrol operations. Its location also minimizes conflicts with airport flight paths and other airspace concerns.

The SPD's UAS Team, established in 2019, includes 24 certified pilots who have conducted more than 170 emergency call responses and over 573 drone flights in 2024 alone. The DFR Trial Program builds on this experience, supplementing SPD's Air Operations Unit while adhering to strict privacy policies.

Flight data from the trial will be publicly available through the City's UAS transparency page at app.airdata.com/u/spduas. The program's results will be evaluated by SPD and SFD to determine its potential for broader use in Sacramento's public safety strategy.

This forward-thinking initiative underscores Sacramento's commitment to adopting technology that enhances public safety while maintaining trust and transparency within the community.