United States, New York City
New York City Police Department
Drone as First Responder, supplied by Skydio
OperationalCompany claimPAI-BEF2FB4B
This record rests on a claim. Its source is the supplier's own material, not an independent or official publication. It is listed so the claim can be tracked and tested, and will be updated when independent evidence appears.
- Body
- New York City Police Department
- Country
- United States
- Area
- New York City
- Technology
- Drone as First Responder
- Supplier
- Skydio
- Status
- Operational
In routine use by the named body, on the evidence of a public source. - Stage
- In use now
- 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
- Evidence
- Company claim
The supplier's own website, press release or case study - Source
- Skydio; Federal Aviation Administration approvals
- Last checked
- Record code
PAI-BEF2FB4B
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.
The 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.
Other systems used by New York City Police Department
| Deployment | Country | Supplier | Since | Status | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York City Police DepartmentAutonomous security patrol robot (Knightscope K5) | United StatesNew York City | Knightscope | 2023 | Discontinued | |
| New York City Police DepartmentAI weapons detection screening | United StatesNew York City | Evolv Technology | 2024 | Discontinued |
Drone as First Responder elsewhere in United States
See them in the tracker| Deployment | Country | Supplier | Since | Status | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lakeland Police DepartmentDrone as First Responder | United StatesFlorida | Axon (Axon Air) | 2026 | Proposed |