Brookhaven Police Department Drone Program

Brookhaven, Georgia: A Leader in Drone-as-First-Responder Innovation

Tucked in the northeast suburbs of Atlanta, the city of Brookhaven, Georgia, has become a national model for integrating drone technology into municipal policing. Through its cutting-edge Drone as First Responder (DFR) program, the Brookhaven Police Department (BPD) is reshaping how law enforcement responds to emergencies, prioritizes officer safety, and enhances situational awareness for critical incidents.

Launched in December 2020, Brookhaven’s DFR program was the first of its kind in the southeastern United States. The goal was ambitious: dispatch drones to emergency calls to arrive before ground units, providing live aerial intelligence that can shape officer decision-making in real time. Since its inception, the program has exceeded expectations, becoming a staple in Brookhaven’s daily operations and inspiring similar programs nationwide.

At the core of the program is a fleet of advanced drones, primarily the DJI M30T and Matrice 300 series, which are equipped with optical zoom, infrared thermal imaging, and real-time video transmission. These aircraft are managed using Motorola Solutions’ CAPE software, a powerful interface that enables secure live streaming and remote piloting. The system allows officers in the field or at the dispatch center to view unfolding situations from above within seconds of a 911 call being received.

Brookhaven’s drones are strategically launched from multiple rooftops across the city, ensuring that no emergency call is too far out of reach. The average drone response time is an astonishing 70 seconds, with drones arriving on-scene before officers on more than 70% of calls. This level of speed and coverage is made possible by a well-trained UAS unit comprising 11 members, including two full-time drone pilots who monitor operations and handle takeoffs remotely.

One of the most significant milestones in Brookhaven’s drone initiative was the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) special approval for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations. This authorization allows drones to be operated without direct line of sight from the pilot, dramatically expanding coverage and flexibility. FAA approval was granted after rigorous documentation and demonstrated adherence to flight safety protocols—a feat only a handful of municipal drone programs in the U.S. have achieved.

Brookhaven has also worked proactively to ensure public trust. The city engaged the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and local community groups during the early development of the program to address privacy and surveillance concerns. Strict operating procedures were implemented to ensure that drones are deployed only in response to specific 911 calls and never for random patrol or passive surveillance. Furthermore, non-sensitive flight data and usage statistics are published to promote transparency and accountability.

The real-world impact of Brookhaven’s drone program is already being felt. Drones have been instrumental in safely locating suspects, evaluating dangerous scenes before officer arrival, supporting SWAT operations, and assessing damage following weather-related emergencies. In many cases, the live aerial view has helped de-escalate potentially violent encounters, reduce pursuit risks, and guide medical personnel to injured parties more quickly.

Brookhaven’s success has not gone unnoticed. The city has been featured in numerous national law enforcement publications and was invited to present its program at public safety technology conferences across the country. Its model is now being studied by other municipalities seeking to implement similar programs—many of which have visited Brookhaven’s operations firsthand.

For more information on Brookhaven’s Drone as First Responder program, policies, and deployment practices, you can visit the city’s official page here:
🔗 https://www.brookhavenga.gov/drones