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The Auburn Police Department has started a trial program using two drones as first responders, getting to an incident before officers or to provide additional intelligence.
“When a drone is dispatched, it automatically travels along a safe flight path toward the call,” according to a Sept. 16 Auburn Police Facebook post about the program. “Once it reaches approximately 300 feet from the scene, the operator can take manual control of the drone and camera.
“During the flight to the scene, the camera remains pointed toward the horizon and is not directed downward or toward areas that are not observable to the public. All flights and flight data are recorded, and operators complete a post flight report for every mission.”
Auburn has two Skydio X10 drones and two automated docking stations, according to police. Skydio, a drone manufacturer headquartered in San Mateo, California, has contracts with multiple police agencies, including several in Western Washington. The trial is scheduled to run through Oct. 9.
The Kent Police Department plans to potentially implement a drone first responder program in 2027. Bellevue Police plan to launch a pilot program this fall, according to a Sept. 9 post on the city’s website. Redmond Police launched a DFR (drone first responder) program with Skydio in 2024, according to the city’s website. The Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office started a DFR program this month.
So far, the Auburn Police drones have completed more than 50 flights. In 47.1% of those responses, the drone arrived before officers, and 88.2% of responses provided helpful intelligence.
“With the help of our Skydio DFR system, officers were able to quickly locate the motorcycle and respond before it was stolen,” according to a Sept. 21 Auburn Police Facebook post about a suspicious subject tampering with a motorcycle call. “The drone was able to fly to the call before our officers arrived and track the suspect as he attempted to push the motorcycle to the street and ride away.”
Auburn Police has operated a drone program since 2019 and currently has 14 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Part 107 certified pilots. Those drones are used by officers at an incident scene. The department recently received an FAA waiver allowing trained operators to conduct flights beyond visual line of sight, or BVLOS, meaning officers can operate them from a police station. Since completing BVLOS training on Sept. 10-11, the drones have been responding to calls for service when available.
It is also important to note that the drones will not be used for general surveillance or random flights, according to police. Each mission will be tied to a 911 call.
The X10 is equipped with ADS B In technology and a parachute. Auburn Police also worked with Auburn Airport to establish appropriate geofences to help reduce the risk of conflicts with aircraft arriving at or departing from the airport.
