Drone as a First Responder

With field-based drones, trained operators must have a drone loaded in their vehicle, drive to a scene, and then deploy. The DFR model stations a drone in a fixed location, ready at all times to deploy resulting in real-time information gathering before officers arrive on scene. This model is the next step in an already useful tool and successful program for public safety.

The agency remains committed to the responsible, lawful, and mission-specific use of its drone technology. This DFR program does not change the department’s responsibility to operate its drones in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, department policy, and established privacy protections.

The purpose remains the same: protecting the community and providing first responders with critical information that can help them make safer, better-informed decisions.

Getting reliable information sooner allows first responders to make better decisions sooner.

Supporting police, fire & rescue and the community, the DFR program is a public safety resource and tool.

The department will continue working collaboratively with the Prince William County Fire and Rescue System, and our County law enforcement partners, to use drone technology when an aerial perspective can support an operational need respective to the responsibilities of the agency and coordinating additional personnel, equipment, or drone capabilities when needed. This approach allows all public safety agencies to maintain the flexibility to respond to their missions while benefiting from a shared commitment to training, coordination, safety, and interoperability.

Since 2021, the police department has successfully used drones in a variety of operations, inluding:

Emergencies & Rescues

• Missing Persons
• Search & Rescue
• Natural Disaters

Tactical & Scene Operations

• Crash Investigations
• Crime Scene Documentation
• Tactical Incidents

Specialized Partner Agency Operations

• Hazardous Situations
• Fire & Rescue Support
• Large-Scale Critical Events

The police department recognizes the use of drones can raise questions about privacy, and this program is a new approach to existing technology.

The department's drones are deployed for legitimate public safety purposes and are never used for indiscriminate surveillance of the community.

Operations and deployment under this model will continue to be conducted by trained and authorized personnel in accordance with department policy, applicable Virginia law, and Federal Aviation Administration requirements.

The department's existing sUAS policy requires personnel to respect reasonable expectations of privacy during drone operations. The implementation of the DFR program does not remove or diminish those requirements.

Drone operations are conducted within the National Airspace System and are subject to Federal Aviation Administration requirements.

Only licensed and trained pilots can operate the department's drones. Authorized personnel receive specialized training, and operations are conducted within established safety and operational requirements.

Not every call will require a drone deployment. Only situations where safety is a concern, or there is a determined operational value will prompt a deployment with consideration to aircraft capabilities and weather and airspace conditions.

As DFR becomes operational, residents may notice department drones traveling to and from calls for service in areas served by the program, within the allowable radius of deployment.

A drone traveling overhead does not necessarily mean an incident is occurring at the location directly below it. Similar to a police vehicle traveling on a roadway to reach a call, a DFR drone may need to travel over other areas while responding to an incident.

The drone’s destination and use are tied to an authorized public safety mission.

It's important to know, the police department does not have the authority to control the skies above our county. Therefore, a drone spotted overhead does not necessarily mean it's a police department drone.
 

For more than five years, the department's sUAS program has demonstrated how drone technology can provide valuable information during public safety operations. The DFR program builds upon that foundation.

By placing an aerial resource closer to where it may be needed and reducing the time required to deploy it, the department can provide personnel with critical information earlier in an incident — helping responders make informed decisions, use resources effectively, and enhance safety for both first responders and the community.

The location of a DFR station will be determined based on calls for service data showing the highest concentration of calls that would be most beneficial to public safety. By looking at call volume, maximizing coverage, and focusing on real-time information gathering with the emphasis on safety, the program is expected to be successful and a valuable resource.

No.

DFR is a tool that supports first responders; it does not replace them.

A drone can provide an aerial perspective and valuable situational awareness, but it cannot perform the many responsibilities of a police officer, firefighter, paramedic, or other first responder.

DFR is intended to help personnel arrive with better information so they can make safer and more informed decisions.

When a call requires an officer response, a DFR deployment does not replace that response.

In some circumstances; however, information obtained from a drone may help personnel better understand what is occurring and determine the appropriate resources for the incident.

Ultimately, personnel will continue to respond based on the circumstances of each incident, Department policy, training, and the information available to them.

DFR may be used for calls and incidents where an aerial perspective could improve situational awareness or enhance public and first responder safety.

Examples may include:

• Missing or endangered persons
• Reports of weapons or violent activity
• Crimes in progress
• Fleeing suspects
• Serious traffic crashes
• Search and rescue incidents
• Fires or hazardous incidents
• Large-scale or critical incidents
• Other calls where timely aerial information may assist first responders

Not every call for service will result in drone deployment.

PWCPD and other area public safety agencies, including the Prince William County Fire and Rescue System, work collaboratively during incidents where drone technology can support public safety operations.

In addition to police incidents, an aerial perspective may be valuable during fires, search and rescue incidents, hazardous conditions, major emergencies, and other situations.

Each agency maintains its respective operational responsibilities while coordinating personnel and resources when additional support is needed.
 

DFR drones are deployed in support of authorized public safety missions or an appropriate operational need, and are not used to continuously patrol neighborhoods or randomly monitor residents.

A drone flying overhead does not necessarily mean its destination is the property directly below it. A drone may travel through several neighborhoods on its way to an emergency, meaning a DFR drone may travel over homes, businesses, roads, or other areas while responding to a call elsewhere. Its flight path may simply be the route necessary to safely reach the incident.

DFR drones are not used for indiscriminate surveillance of the community.

The police department's existing sUAS policy requires personnel to consider the privacy and legal rights of residents and to make reasonable efforts not to invade a person’s reasonable expectation of privacy.

Recognition Capabilities

First and foremost, a drone used by the police department is for an identified operational need in accordance with law, regulations, and policy. Drones can differintiate between a person, or an object; however, it does not have facial recognition capabilities that could be used to obtain personal identifiable information on an individual. While drones do not have facial reconigtion, in situations where a suspect vehicle is identified, a drone can be used similar to other technology to provide law enforcement with information on the vehicle for identified investigative needs.

Video Feed Capabilities

The drone has the ability to live-stream, or record based on need. Feeds are recorded, and then reviewed, if an investigative need is determined. Any retained recordings are handled in accordance with applicable law, department policy, evidentiary requirements, and records-retention requirements. Access to DFR video and systems is limited to personnel with an authorized public safety or operational need. During an active incident, live video feeds may be shared with appropriate personnel when doing so assists with the response, provides situational awareness, or supports incident management.

Drone Armament Capabilities

The department's DFR drones are not weapons and are not intended to carry or deploy weapons. Weaponizing drones is prohibited under Virginia law and police department policy. Their purpose is to provide information and situational awareness in support of public safety operations.

As officers are responding to calls, a DFR drone may be able to arrive first and provide an aerial view of the area.

The drone could help determine whether a suspect is present, provide responding officers with updated information, identify potential hazards, or assist with determining a direction of travel of parties leaving the scene.

The goal of DFR is simple: useful information to first responders sooner to help make informed decisions before arriving at the scene.

Earlier situational awareness can help:

• Improve emergency response
• Locate missing or endangered people more quickly
• Identify hazards before personnel arrive
• Improve decision-making
• Use public safety resources more effectively
• Reduce unnecessary risk to first responders and the community
• Support coordinated Police and Fire & Rescue operations
   

The use of drones by law enforcement in Virginia is governed by state law. Depending on the circumstances, law enforcement may be required to obtain a search warrant or operate under an exception specifically authorized by law. DFR does not eliminate or change these legal requirements.

DFR operations may include flights conducted beyond the pilot’s direct visual line of sight when specifically authorized and conducted in accordance with applicable Federal Aviation Administration requirements and established safety procedures.

This capability allows an authorized operator to remotely deploy and operate a drone from a designated location while maintaining appropriate oversight of the aircraft and surrounding airspace.

Flight altitude will vary based on the mission, location, surrounding airspace, safety considerations, weather, and applicable Federal Aviation Administration requirements. Operators are responsible for selecting an appropriate and lawful altitude for each mission.

DFR aircraft incorporate safety features and established procedures for situations involving a loss of communication or other unexpected conditions. Operators are trained to respond to these situations, and flights are conducted in accordance with applicable Federal Aviation Administration requirements and department safety procedures.