Staff Report
City Council
Item No. 2.C
Meeting Date: March 11, 2026
From: Rick Sanchez, Acting Chief of Police
Title: Drone as First Responder Program Update
RECOMMENDATION:
This item is presented for discussion only.
BACKGROUND:
In 2025, the Police Department initiated the Drone as First Responder (DFR) Program to enhance emergency response capabilities, improve situational awareness, and increase officer and community safety. The program deploys unmanned aerial systems (UAS) to priority calls for service prior to or simultaneously with ground units.
The DFR program was established utilizing State and regional grant funding sources, including Supplemental Law Enforcement Services Account (SLESA) and Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG) funding. The program was implemented in compliance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations and City policy, including publicly adopted UAS guidelines governing privacy, data retention, and operational deployment.
The program objectives include:
Reducing response times to critical incidents
Enhancing officer safety through real-time aerial intelligence Improving decision-making through live situational awareness Increasing operational efficiency and resource deployment DISCUSSION:
Since its implementation, the DFR program has demonstrated measurable operational benefits. Drones are deployed to calls including violent crimes in progress, suspicious persons, traffic collisions, perimeter containment situations, and search operations.
Drones frequently arrive on scene ahead of patrol units, providing live intelligence that informs tactical decision-making and enhances officer safety. In several instances, aerial assessment has determined patrol resources were not required, allowing units to remain available for higher-priority calls.
Aerial video documentation has supported investigative follow-up and provided objective incident documentation. The Department continues to operate under established UAS policies, conducts public outreach, and ensures accountability through supervisory oversight and flight logging procedures.
Beyond law enforcement response, the DFR program has enhanced overall public safety throughout the city. Drones have assisted the Fire Department during fires, traffic collisions, and search and rescue operations. They have also supported the Public Works Department by documenting water and mud flow, assessing storm-related damage, and helping evaluate infrastructure impacts following significant weather events. This collaboration improves both immediate response and long-term planning efforts.
The DFR program currently operates three strategically positioned drones deployed from secure rooftop locations throughout the city. Based on flight times and operational range, these drones provide approximately 90 percent coverage across Cathedral City.
To ensure professionalism and compliance, we have made a significant investment in training. Six staff members recently passed the FAA Part 107 Certification testing followed by completing a rigorous 40-hour training program to become certified drone pilots, bringing our total to nine trained personnel. Our team includes both sworn officers and professional civilian staff. This diverse and highly trained group ensures that the program operates safely, responsibly, and in full compliance with federal aviation regulations and departmental policy.
Future objectives include expanding pilot staffing, evaluating additional launch sites to improve coverage, and continuing data-driven evaluation of response metrics and safety outcomes.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Expenditures have been reimbursed through SLESA grant and CVAG funding.
FIVE-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN:
Goal E: Safety
ATTACHMENTS:
None