{
  "record": {
    "id": "bef2fb4b-cb2d-40f7-a302-5ad8cc3b6e86",
    "code": "PAI-BEF2FB4B",
    "force": "New York City Police Department",
    "country": "United States",
    "country_code": "us",
    "is_country": true,
    "region": "New York City",
    "technology": "Drone as First Responder",
    "technology_slug": "drone-first-responder",
    "vendor": "Skydio",
    "vendor_slug": "",
    "programme": "",
    "status": "operational",
    "stage": "in-use",
    "evidence": "company",
    "evidence_is_claim": true,
    "since": "2024",
    "legal_basis": "Federal Aviation Administration waiver permitting flight beyond visual line of sight across much of New York City with no visual observer, up to 200 feet above ground level or within 50 feet of structures",
    "oversight": "Federal Aviation Administration waiver conditions; no dedicated civil liberties oversight identified",
    "notes": "A drone is launched to a call for service ahead of officers, with a remote pilot flying the whole mission and no personnel on scene. Live video streams to responding officers and evidence is captured from overhead. Onboard autonomy avoids obstacles, and traffic alerting warns the operator of low-flying crewed aircraft.\n\nThe FAA waiver is the enabling factor rather than the technology itself, which is why the regulatory position is recorded here in as much detail as the capability. Chula Vista Police Department in California has received authorisation for low-altitude close-proximity emergency operations, and Redmond Police Department in Washington has launched a programme. In March 2026 Skydio announced that 12 public safety agencies had received FAA approval for one pilot to fly up to four drones beyond visual line of sight.",
    "source": "Skydio; Federal Aviation Administration approvals",
    "source_url": "https://www.skydio.com/blog/faa-issues-revolutionary-approval-to-nypd-to-conduct-drone-as-first-responder-operations",
    "last_checked": "2026-08-20",
    "record_url": "https://www.policeainews.com/tracker/record/bef2fb4b-cb2d-40f7-a302-5ad8cc3b6e86"
  },
  "licence": "https://www.policeainews.com/data#licence"
}