Fort Worth Adopts Vendor-Neutral Strategy for Developing Its DFR Program
Fort Worth Police Department Tests Drone First Responder Systems
By DRONELIFE Features Editor Jim Magill
Introduction of Drone First Responder Program
As police departments nationwide adopt drones as part of their first responder programs, the Fort Worth Police Department (FWPD) has initiated its own drone first responder (DFR) operation. The department is currently evaluating various DFR systems to determine which best meets the needs of the community.
Trial Period and Vendor Comparisons
The FWPD has embarked on a one-year trial period, deploying two drones along with the necessary docks and software from Flock, a vendor already contracted to provide license plate readers and other public safety devices. The department plans to compare the Flock system with offerings from other U.S.-based companies, including Skydio and Brinc.
Sergeant Erik Lavigne, supervisor of the Fort Worth Real-Time Crime Center (RTCC), explained that the department is drawing inspiration from other cities with established DFR programs. “We saw other agencies having really good success and we wanted to mold it towards the Fort Worth way, which is we’re not being beholden to any one company,” he stated.
To facilitate this evaluation, the FWPD intends to test additional systems, including a Skydio DFR system, in different areas of the city that experience similar call loads.
Future Plans for Drone Coverage
Following the trial, the department will assess the various systems based on ease of operation and performance in Fort Worth’s diverse climate, which includes extreme heat and cold. Lavigne anticipates a future where the FWPD can achieve comprehensive DFR coverage across the city.
In a mock-up exercise, the department estimated that 17 to 20 drones would be necessary to cover the central division of the city with a 90-second response time. For full city coverage, a fleet of 80 to 100 drones may be required, depending on the specifications of the drones selected.
Benefits and Community Impact
During a recent press conference, Police Chief Eddie Garcia highlighted the advantages of the DFR program for both the department and the community. “The drone as first responder program is about getting our officers and first responders better information faster so they can make better decisions when seconds matter,” he said, emphasizing the goal of achieving safer outcomes for all involved.
The FWPD is currently engaged in a one-year, no-cost trial partnership with Flock Safety, which began on May 8. Under this agreement, Flock will lease the equipment to the department, while the FWPD retains ownership of all data captured by the drones.
To address privacy concerns, spokesman Paris Lewbel explained that the drones are programmed to avoid recording individuals on the ground. The camera is directed downward only when the drone arrives at the scene of an incident, and each flight is logged with information made available on a public transparency portal.
Initial Success of the DFR System
After just a few weeks of operation, the Flock DFR system has already demonstrated its effectiveness. In a recent incident involving a report of a man firing a gun in a residential area, officers opted to utilize the drone for surveillance rather than directly approaching a potentially dangerous situation. The drone provided critical video footage that allowed officers to assess the situation safely before intervening.
“We waited. Rather than pushing the issue with him having a gun in his hand and walking around, we waited for him to get to his vehicle in a seated position,” Lavigne recounted. “The drone was able to see on the video him putting the gun to the side, and that’s when we told officers to move in.”