TO:Andrew P. Powers, City Manager
FROM:Jeremy Paris, Police Chief
DATE:August 25, 2026
SUBJECT: Unmanned Aircraft System Program
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Approve budget appropriation and expenditure for FY 2026-27 in the amount of $701,000 from A/C #001-0000-311-1000 (General Fund – Fund Balance) as follows: $49,000 to A/C #001-6610-621-3300 (General Fund – Equipment Less than $10K) and $652,000 to A/C #001-6610-621-5736 (General Fund – Drone as First Responder Program).
2. Find that this action is not a project as defined under the California Environmental Quality Act.
LEVINE ACT ITEM: No
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
$701,000 Increase to FY 2026-27 General Fund Budget. $701,000 increase to the Adopted FY 2026-27 General Fund Budget is requested for implementation of the Drone as First Responder Program (DFR). The appropriation includes $49,000 for one-time equipment costs and $652,000 for program services for FY 2026-27.
Budget for the remaining term of the County’s agreement will be requested during the upcoming biennial budget process.
BACKGROUND:
Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) have been utilized by law enforcement agencies throughout California for many years, including the Ventura County Sheriff's Office (VCSO), which provides law enforcement services to the Thousand Oaks Police Department (TOPD). VCSO established its UAS Program in 2013, and it has since grown into a highly effective public safety resource. Today, the program consists of approximately 36 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)- certified remote pilots who provide aerial support for a broad range of law enforcement and emergency response operations throughout Ventura County.
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The UAS Program serves as a force multiplier by delivering real-time aerial intelligence to deputies and specialized units during critical incidents. Missions include, but are not limited to, missing person searches, traffic collision and crime scene documentation, barricaded subjects, hazardous materials (HAZMAT) incidents, brush fires, search and rescue operations, and aerial overwatch for Bomb Squad and SWAT deployments. Over the years, the deployment of UAS has significantly enhanced situational awareness, improved operational coordination, and contributed to safer, more effective incident management.
The program operates as a collateral-duty assignment staffed by highly trained personnel. Each pilot holds a FAA Remote Pilot Certificate and participates in ongoing training to maintain proficiency, ensure regulatory compliance, and support the safe and effective operation of UAS technology.
TOPD currently operates three patrol-led aircraft platforms, each deployed by a two-person team of trained field personnel. These aircraft typically arrive on scene within five to ten minutes, depending on travel distance, providing critical real-time aerial intelligence during the initial stages of an incident. VCSO is expanding its program by entering into a new contract with Axon Enterprise, Inc (Axon) to provide a DFR program that provides greater efficiencies and shorter response times.
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS:
Axon, in partnership with Skydio and Prepared 911, offers a DFR solution that integrates aircraft, docking stations, live-streaming software, regulatory support, training, and warranties into a single, comprehensive platform. This integrated solution is designed to provide a turnkey DFR program that enhances TOPD's existing UAS program while simplifying implementation, deployment, and ongoing program management. The DFR program will be implemented in Thousand Oaks and Camarillo, both cities to share paying for the costs for the program. The agreement with Axon is for an eight-year term (97 months). The Thousand Oaks share of the annual cost is approximately $910,000 ($532,264 fixed cost for the Axon annual fee and approximately $378,000 for salary and benefit cost subject to potential annual percentage increases). The budget appropriation requested for FY 2026-27 is prorated since the services will start in fall of 2026. As with other programs and equipment utilized by VCSO, VCSO will bill the City for this program.
The integration of Axon, Skydio, and Prepared 911 creates a streamlined workflow from emergency call intake through aircraft deployment and incident response, reducing the need for multiple independent systems and improving operational coordination.
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The Skydio DFR platform is an automated public safety solution that allows a remote pilot to deploy aircraft directly from a docking station to emergency incidents, providing responding personnel with immediate aerial situational awareness before ground units arrive. Powered by Prepared 911, an AI-assisted emergency call-taking platform, the system captures, translates, transcribes, and relays critical information from 9-1-1 calls in real time to dispatch personnel and DFR operators. This capability enables aircraft to be launched while emergency calls are still being processed, allowing responders to receive actionable intelligence earlier in the incident.
Under TOPD's current patrol-led UAS program, each aircraft deployment requires two trained deputies to respond to and operate the aircraft. As a result, both deputies are temporarily unavailable to respond to other calls for service within the City. A DFR program would reduce this operational impact by allowing aircraft to be deployed remotely from a fixed location by designated operators, freeing patrol personnel to remain available for other emergency calls and proactive policing activities.
During the current year, TOPD has averaged a 7.84-minute response time to Priority 1 calls for service and has responded to 2,714 Priority 1 calls year to date.
By allowing aircraft to be deployed while emergency calls are still being processed, the DFR program has the potential to reduce response times, improve situational awareness, and enhance decision-making before ground units arrive.
TOPD will monitor and evaluate response-time data and other performance measures to assess the effectiveness and operational impact of the DFR program.
Given the volume of Priority 1 calls for service, even incremental improvements in response times, resource deployments and incident management have the potential to provide meaningful public safety benefits throughout the City.
Implementation of the DFR program is expected to provide the following benefits to the City:
Faster Response Times: Aircraft may arrive on scene within 90 to 120 seconds to high priority calls, providing situational awareness before ground units arrive.
Enhanced Officer and Public Safety: Real-time aerial intelligence provides responding personnel with advanced information regarding potential threats, suspect locations, weapons, and other hazards prior to arrival.
More Efficient Resource Deployment: Live aerial video enables supervisors and dispatchers to assess incidents more effectively and determine the appropriate level of response, improving deployment decisions.
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Enhanced Incident Resolution: Aerial capabilities support suspect tracking, perimeter management and evidence documentation, contributing to more effective incident resolution.
Increased Transparency and Accountability: Recorded aerial footage provides objective documentation of incidents that may be used for investigative purposes, evidence collection, training, and after-action review.
Optimized Use of Public Safety Resources: Providing real-time intelligence before officers arrive on scene enables personnel and equipment to be deployed more efficiently, improving operational effectiveness and allowing resources to be directed where they are needed most.
COUNCIL GOAL COMPLIANCE:
Meets the following City Council goals:
C. Operate City government in a fiscally and managerially responsible and prudent manner to ensure that the City of Thousand Oaks remains one of California's most desirable places to live, work, visit, recreate, and raise a family.
D. Maintain strong commitment to public safety (including Police, Fire, Emergency Medical Services, and Emergency Management) to ensure City remains one of the safest Cities in the United States with a population over 100,000.
PREPARED BY: Sabrina Campagna, Administrative Assistant III POL:590-40/H:\Common\Police\CityCouncil\AgendaItems\0825202DFR.docx