Montgomery County, MD – The Montgomery County Department of Police is announcing a major enhancement to its nationally recognized Drone as First Responder program. Building on its successful launch in 2023, MCPD is transitioning to a next-generation, dock-based drone system that will expand coverage, improve response times, and increase operational efficiency.
As part of this enhancement, MCPD is replacing its current drones with dock-based Skydio systems deployed across six locations countywide. Each site will be equipped with two drone docks, allowing for extended operational coverage and the ability to deploy multiple drones simultaneously when needed. This dual-dock configuration ensures continuity of operations and provides the flexibility to respond to multiple incidents at the same time.
In coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration and other federal partners, MCPD will operate these drones beyond visual line of sight without the need for a rooftop observer. This advancement allows for faster deployment, expanded range from each site, and increased hours of operation.
All drones will be remotely piloted from the County’s Joint Operations Center, located within Public Safety Headquarters, enabling centralized coordination and real-time operational support.
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The rollout of this enhanced system is occurring in phases. Phase 1 includes Downtown Silver Spring, White Oak, the Gaithersburg/Montgomery Village area, and Germantown, which is now operational. The department expects to complete equipment replacement in the Wheaton and Bethesda areas during the summer.
The department worked in partnership with community stakeholders to develop strong privacy protections, which remain central to the Drone as First Responder program.
DFR drones are used strictly to respond to 911 calls for service or to assist officers already on the scene of an incident. The drones do not use facial recognition technology and are not equipped with microphones.
To further protect privacy, drone cameras are positioned toward the horizon while en route to and returning from calls for service.
MCPD will also continue its practice of providing full transparency into DFR operations. Every DFR drone response is publicly documented, including the location of the flight and the reason for the call for service. This information can be found on MCPD’s public DFR Dashboard.
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DFR Dashboard
This enhancement represents the next evolution of MCPD’ Drone as First Responder program. By leveraging advanced technology and strong partnerships, the department continues to enhance its ability to deliver timely, efficient, and accountable public safety services to the community.
Read the original article at mcgov