- Honolulu Police Department

The Honolulu Police Department’s Drone as First Responder (DFR) pilot program uses unmanned aircraft systems (drones) to respond to certain emergency calls before officers arrive on scene. By providing responding officers with real-time aerial information, drones help improve situational awareness, support informed decision-making, and strengthen public safety.

Why Drone as First Responder?

Faster Response

In an emergency, every second counts. DFR drones can arrive at calls significantly faster than officers responding by vehicle, providing an immediate assessment of the situation while officers are still en route. By getting eyes on the scene first, HPD can deliver assistance to the community more quickly and improve the chances of locating and apprehending suspects.

Real-Time Intelligence

By being first on scene, DFR drones give responding officers real-time intelligence before they arrive. Officers can identify potential hazards, assess the number of people involved, monitor changing conditions, and gain a clearer understanding of what is happening—all before stepping out of their patrol vehicle.

Better Decisions

Good decisions begin with good information. By giving officers a clearer understanding of the situation before they arrive, DFR helps reduce uncertainty and supports more measured, informed decision-making. That means officers can choose the most appropriate response from the outset, leading to safer, more effective outcomes for both the public and responding personnel.

Smarter Resource Use

Better decisions also lead to smarter use of public safety resources. Officers and supervisors can determine the appropriate personnel and resources needed for an incident before they arrive. In some cases, a drone may quickly determine that a reported incident has already resolved itself or no longer requires an in-person police response, allowing officers to remain available for higher-priority emergencies while ensuring calls are still assessed promptly.

About HPD’s Drone as First Responder Pilot Program

The Honolulu Police Department’s Drone as First Responder (DFR) pilot program uses drones to respond to certain 911 calls ahead of officers on the ground, providing real-time aerial information that helps strengthen emergency response and improve public safety. By arriving at an incident quickly, a DFR drone can provide responding officers with valuable intelligence before they arrive on scene, allowing them to better assess the situation, determine the appropriate response, and make more informed decisions.

HPD’s DFR Program is operated in partnership with the Hawaiʻi State Department of Law Enforcement (DLE). During the pilot phase, FAA-certified HPD pilots will operate Skydio X10 and Skydio R10 drones provided by DLE. Operations will be based out of HPD’s Alapaʻi Headquarters and initially serve Districts 1 and 5, with plans to expand to island-wide operations in the future.

The program is entirely call-for-service based, meaning drones are deployed only in response to designated 911 calls or requests for assistance from HPD personnel. Drones are not used for routine patrols or general surveillance.

As the program grows, HPD remains committed to transparency, accountability, and responsible use of drone technology.

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Images courtesy of Skydio

Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions about HPD’s Drone as First Responder program? Browse answers to common questions below about how DFR works, when drones are deployed, privacy protections, and how the program supports public safety while maintaining transparency and accountability.

What is a drone?

A drone, also known as an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), is a small aircraft that is operated without a person onboard. While many people use the term “drone” to refer only to the aircraft itself, a UAS includes the entire system needed to safely operate it, including the aircraft, the remote controller, communication links, and supporting software. Public safety agencies across the country use UAS technology to enhance situational awareness, improve response times, and support emergency operations. At HPD, drones serve as a tool to provide officers with real-time aerial information, helping them make more informed decisions while enhancing the safety of both the public and responding personnel.

Why is HPD launching a Drone as First Responder (DFR) program?

The program is designed to improve emergency response and public safety. DFR drones can often arrive at certain emergency calls faster than officers responding by vehicle, allowing HPD to begin assessing the situation sooner and helping officers make better-informed decisions before they arrive, ultimately improving service to the public.

Will drones replace police officers?

No. Drones are an additional public safety tool and do not replace officers. They provide valuable information before officers arrive but do not replace the judgment, training, or responsibilities of sworn police officers.

Will drones patrol neighborhoods or monitor the public regularly?

No. Drones are deployed only in response to 911 calls from the public, or calls for assistance from other HPD personnel. Drones will not be used for random surveillance, intelligence gathering, or monitoring without a defined mission.

When will a drone be deployed?

DFR drones are deployed only in response to 911 calls from the public or calls for assistance from other HPD personnel. Potential incidents include:

– Crimes in progress or high-priority calls requiring immediate situational awareness;
– Search and rescue operations;
– Hazardous material incidents or disaster-related assessments;
– Major traffic collisions or roadway hazard evaluation;
– Crowd management or large-scale public events;
– High risk tactical operations (active threat, barricaded subjects, hostage situations);
– Any mission authorized by the Chief of Police or designee.

What areas will the DFR program cover?

The pilot phase of the program will operate from HPD’s Alapaʻi Headquarters and serve District 1—Downtown, Chinatown, Nuʻuanu, Makiki, Ala Moana, and Kakaʻako—and District 5—Kalihi, ʻIwilei, Kapālama, ʻAlewa, Moanalua, and Salt Lake. HPD will evaluate operational results, community feedback and public safety needs before determining whether and how the DFR program may be expanded islandwide.

What training do HPD drone pilots undergo?

All HPD drone pilots hold a valid Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate, which is required to operate small unmanned aircraft for public safety missions. In addition to meeting federal licensing requirements, HPD pilots receive department-specific training on drone operations, safety procedures, applicable laws and regulations, emergency response protocols, and privacy considerations. Pilots are trained to operate within FAA regulations and established industry best practices.

What types of drones will be used?

FAA-certified HPD pilots will operate Skydio X10 and Skydio R10 drones provided by the Hawai‘i State Department of Law Enforcement.

How will HPD’s DFR program protect my privacy?

Protecting privacy is a core principle of HPD’s Drone as First Responder program. HPD policy prohibits drone operators from intentionally recording or transmitting images of private activity, conditions, or locations, where a reasonable expectation of privacy exists, except when such recording or transmission of images is either (1) incidental to achieving a legitimate law enforcement objective or other legitimate public purpose, (2) authorized by a valid warrant, and/or (3) when otherwise permitted by law.

In addition to this, privacy is protected on several levels:

Constitutional Safeguards: All DFR deployments comply with the Hawaiʻi State Constitution Article I, Section 6 – Right to Privacy; and Article I, Section 7 – Searches, Seizures, and the Right to Privacy.

Targeted Surveillance Prohibition: DFR is not used to monitor or track individuals without a clearly defined mission tied to a call-for-service.

Flight Procedures that Prioritize Privacy: During transit to an incident, drone cameras are kept horizontally towards the horizon or skyward, preventing accidental recording of uninvolved locations and individuals. Video recording only activates when the aircraft arrives within the immediate vicinity of the incident.

For more information about how HPD’s DFR program prioritizes privacy and transparency, please reference HPD’s official DFR policy.

How is the video captured by drones stored and kept secure?

Drone video, images, flight logs, metadata, and related records are treated as official department records. As such, data that is retained is stored in a secure cloud system that satisfies the cybersecurity requirements set forth in the City and County of Honolulu’s and HPD’s Data Management Policy. Access to DFR recordings is strictly limited to personnel with operational or investigative need, with audit logs documenting access. Evidentiary footage is retained and kept secure in the same manner as all other police evidence. Non-evidentiary footage is deleted within 30 days.

HPD’s DFR Policy

Transparency and accountability is a cornerstone of HPD’s DFR program. Review the department’s policy outlining how drones are deployed, the safeguards in place to protect privacy and civil liberties, and the standards that govern every operation.

DFR Press Release

Read the official announcement introducing HPD’s Drone as First Responder program. The press release provides an overview of the pilot program, its objectives, and how the technology will help improve public safety across Honolulu.

Community Feedback

Have a question, complaint or feedback? We’d love to hear from you. Reach out to our DFR feedback email at [email protected]