Police Department
www.santa-ana.org/pd
Item # 15
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Staff Report
February 3, 2026
TOPIC: Unmanned Aerial Systems (Drones)
AGENDA TITLE
Agreement with Axon Enterprise, Inc. for the Implementation of the Drone as a First Responder System and Patrol Drone Purchase for the Police Department (Non-General Fund - SLESA)
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with Axon Enterprise, Inc. to provide the Drone as a First Responder system, patrol drones, and all required software licenses to the Police Department, in an amount not to exceed $682,900 for a term beginning February 3, 2026 and expiring February 2, 2029 (Agreement No. A-2026- XXX).
GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLIES: Yes
DISCUSSION
On May 17, 2022, the City of Santa Ana adopted an Ordinance Amending Section 2- 809 of Article VII.II of Chapter 2 of the Santa Ana Municipal Code adopting the Santa Ana Police Department’s Military Equipment Policy (Policy 707) pursuant to California Assembly Bill 481 (Government Code Sections 7070 et seq.). Per the adoption by Council, Policy 707 listed specific Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) that are no longer available. The Department is now proceeding with purchasing three (3) Skydio X10 (DFR) and two (2) Skydio R10 patrol drones that are substantially similar to the drones listed in the Policy 707 for all operational aspects, including the purpose, authorized uses, lifespan, training, and the legal and procedural rules. Additionally, the Department included UAS as a potential future purchase in the Military Equipment Policy and will report these drones in its annual review.
In 2022, the Police Department began researching the implementation of an Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) program, commonly known as a drone program. The process included forming a drone committee, meeting with several UAS manufacturers,
Unmanned Aerial Systems (Drones)
February 3, 2026
5 5
2 0
consulting with surrounding agencies about their UAS use, and developing a UAS policy.
On August 19, 2025, the City Council voted to renew the Ordinance, which again identified UASs as a potential future purchase. Following the August 19th meeting, the Police Department began engaging with the community through eight meetings held from August 2025 to January 2026, during which drones were discussed and community input was collected. Common themes expressed by community members included the following: interest in using drones as a quick, first-response to calls for service; leveraging drones to assist in enforcing illegal fireworks laws; and responsible and transparent use of drone technology to support public safety.
At the August 19, 2025, meeting, the City Council received the Annual Military Equipment Report that indicated the Police Department's intention to request City Council approval to purchase and implement a UAS program, with initial costs not to exceed $250,000. This contract maintains our original objective as proposed to the City Council and further allows us an additional two-year window for further expansion of the program (see fiscal impact). In conducting research and in discussions with the proposed vendor, an opportunity surfaced allowing the Police Department to purchase additional drones at a lower annual cost for an extended contract of three years. This contract approval does not preclude the requirement and the Police Department’s obligation to annually present a review of this equipment, as well as other military equipment, to the City Council.
The research conducted by the Police Department’s drone committee concluded that integrating Axon’s Drone as a First Responder (DFR) system with Skydio X10 drones will improve the Department’s ability to serve the community by leveraging modern, commonly used drone technology. The DFR system will enable the Police Department to respond to calls for service by deploying strategically placed, dock-based drones throughout the city. The strategically placed drones will directly benefit the community by providing expedited call-for-service response times and gathering critical real-time information about the incident as it develops. Equipped with real-time information from the drone's video stream, the pilot, field-based police supervisors, and responding officers will be able to coordinate their actions more effectively and gather information in direct support of the Department’s de-escalation strategy. The Skydio X10 drone also provides the ability to communicate with people on scene, which can prove to be valuable when communicating with victims, witnesses, and suspects prior to the arrival of personnel at the scene.
In addition to the Skydio DFR X10 drones, the Skydio R10 patrol drones will improve the Department’s ability to respond to emergencies by allowing flights while indoors and in confined spaces. The interior, confined space capability enables police personnel to identify potential dangers, via the high-resolution cameras from a safe distance, without the hazard of direct, face-to-face exposure to any potential threat. As with the X10 Unmanned Aerial Systems (Drones)
February 3, 2026
5 5
2 0
drones, the R10 drones have two-way communication capabilities to facilitate de- escalation efforts and provide commands and instructions to individuals.
The Skydio X10 drones and R10 drones supplied by Axon meet all federal standards for UAS data security and, unlike some popular foreign-made drones, are compliant with the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Axon has decades of experience serving the law enforcement community and has consistently shown responsiveness to customer service requests. Additionally, the Axon deployed drones will directly integrate with the other video based and data storage services Axon currently provides to the Department.
The City has contracted with Axon since 2017 for body-worn camera services, during which time Axon has consistently demonstrated reliability, strong customer support, and responsiveness to operational needs. Under the Axon platform, the City retains full ownership of all data, and any sharing of data is conducted strictly in accordance with current Police Department policies and applicable state law. In addition, Axon is highly protected to prevent breach of data and, to date, there have been no data breaches.
Santa Ana Municipal Code, Section 2-807(d), authorizes the City to make non-bid purchases of services, supplies, materials, and equipment whenever it shall appear that there is only one reasonably available source. Staff researched available procurement options and product offerings in the market and determined that “Axon Air”, a fully integrated DFR solution offered by Axon Enterprise, Inc. meets the Police Department’s specifications. Additionally, Sourcewell, a cooperative government purchasing agency, awarded a contract to Axon Enterprise, Inc. for Axon Air as a result of open, competitive bidding, and meets the City’s requirement.
If the recommended action is approved by the City Council, the Police Department will adopt Department Policy 606 titled Unmanned Aerial Systems (Exhibit 2). The policy provides the framework for the use of DFR and patrol drones, including provisions to safeguard the Community’s Constitutional Rights and to ensure transparency and accountability.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
There is no environmental impact associated with this action.
FISCAL IMPACT
As the first payment is due in July 2026, funding will be included in the proposed FY 26- 27 budget for City Council’s approval. Funding for subsequent fiscal years will be included in the proposed budgets for City Council consideration as follows:
Unmanned Aerial Systems (Drones)
February 3, 2026
5 5
2 0
Fiscal Year Accounting Unit –
Account No.
Fund
Description
Accounting Unit,
Account Description Amount
FY 26-27 12814407-66400
Law
Enforcement
Grants
SLESA, Machinery &
Equipment $249,999
FY 27-28 12814407-66400
Law
Enforcement
Grants
SLESA, Machinery &
Equipment $220,519
FY 28-29 12814407-66400
Law
Enforcement
Grants
SLESA, Machinery &
Equipment $212,382
Total $682,900
EXHIBIT(S)
1. Agreement with Axon Enterprise, Inc.
2. Draft Unmanned Aerial Systems Policy 606
Submitted By: Robert Rodriguez, Police Chief
Approved By: Alvaro Nuñez, City Manager