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The Brookhaven Police Department, located in Brookhaven, Georgia, launched its Drone as First Responder (DFR) program in December 2020 to fill a critical aviation support gap. As a mid-sized agency operating just outside Atlanta, Brookhaven PD saw the potential for drone technology to serve as a force multiplier — providing real-time situational awareness to officers on the ground and enhancing public safety operations.
Why Brookhaven PD launched a DFR program
Before launching the DFR program, Brookhaven PD had to rely on mutual aid for aerial support — assistance that was rarely available in time to be operationally effective. In 2019, the department began researching the feasibility of implementing its own aviation program, initially envisioning a traditional “drone-in-the-trunk” model.
However, after learning about the FAA’s Integration Pilot Program (IPP) and the success of Chula Vista PD’s DFR program, Brookhaven PD shifted its focus. As an urban agency neighboring a major city, the department recognized the value of deploying drones rapidly to evolving incidents, providing instant eyes in the sky.
Focus of the Brooklyn PD DFR program
Brookhaven PD dispatches drones to incidents where live aerial footage can support informed decision-making, reduce officer risk and improve outcomes. The program focuses on providing situational awareness to responding units, supporting a wide range of call types — from in-progress crimes and foot pursuits to traffic incidents and search operations.
DFR success stories
The call: Officers received a report of suspected narcotics sales at a local car wash.
DFR response: A drone, already airborne and supporting another call, was redirected to the scene. It located the suspect’s vehicle and recorded two hand-to-hand transactions. Officers watching the livestream conducted simultaneous stops of the buyers, while others apprehended the dealer.
Drone footage:
The call: Officers responded to a local Target where loss prevention had a shoplifter detained. As the officers were walking in the store the perpetrator fled, unbeknownst to store staff. Patrol officers gave chase but lost visual in a dense urban shopping area with a lot of pedestrian and vehicle traffic.
DFR response: The drone operator quickly located the suspect on foot and guided ground units to his exact location. Realizing he was surrounded, the suspect was already prone on the ground when officers arrived.
Drone footage:
Additional incidents
Brookhaven PD’s YouTube channel features several more DFR-supported incidents:
- Drone tracks suspect through wooded area
- DFR supports vehicle theft investigation
- Real-time overwatch during felony stop
Brookhaven PD’s DFR technology
Brookhaven PD operates its DFR program using the following technology stack:
- DFR platform: (Aerodome, AXON Air, BRINC, Motorola Solutions, DroneSense, Paladin, SKYDIO, CAPE by Motorola)
- DFR aircraft: DJI M30T & M300.
- Parachute system: Aerial Vehicle Safety Solutions (AVSS) Parachute Recovery System
- Payload drop: N/A
- Human visual observer required: Presently yes. We are progressing toward no human VO this year.
- Two full-time pilots; 11 total currently assigned to UAS team.
- Pilot training Company: Skyfire Consulting, Pilot Institute and in-house trainers
PUBLIC SAFETY DRONES AND DFR PROGRAMS
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