By MES Dispatch staff
The Briefing
• The Los Angeles Police Department is expanding the use of drones alongside its helicopter fleet to provide aerial support, department officials said.
• LAPD drones were deployed more than 3,500 times in 2025, often arriving at scenes before officers and providing situational awareness.
• The department says drones can reduce fuel and maintenance costs associated with helicopter operations.
• Drones are intended to complement, not replace, the LAPD’s existing helicopter units, officials said.
LOS ANGELES, CA — The Los Angeles Police Department is increasingly deploying drones alongside its helicopter fleet to bolster aerial support and reduce operational costs, officials said.
According to a report presented to the city’s Police Commission, the department’s “Drone as a First Responder” program was used more than 3,500 times in 2025, with unmanned aircraft often reaching scenes ahead of ground units.
Department officials said small drones can provide real-time imagery and situational awareness for incidents such as break-ins and armed suspects, helping determine the level of response needed before officers arrive.
LAPD leaders noted that drones are intended to complement the agency’s aging helicopter fleet — which typically keeps at least two aircraft aloft for much of the day — and that unmanned systems can offer cost savings compared with traditional aviation energy and maintenance expenses.
Officials said limitations remain, including shorter flight duration for current drone models and the need for continued evaluation of how best to integrate unmanned and crewed aerial assets into public safety operations.