Auburn Police Test Drone Program for Faster Response
The city concludes a month-long trial of automated drones that arrived at scenes before patrol officers in 215 cases.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Law Enforcement
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The Auburn Police Department has completed a 29-day drone as first responder trial program, which utilized Skydio X10 drones to assist in incident response. Drones arrived on scene ahead of officers in 41.5% of the 518 total flights recorded during the test.
Why it matters
The program aims to improve situational awareness for officers and optimize resource allocation by clearing calls without the need for a physical patrol response. The department is now seeking city budget approval to transition the initiative into a permanent program.
The Auburn Police Department completed a 29-day trial program with 518 total drone flights. Officials are currently awaiting City Council budget approval to implement a permanent program in January 2027.
The players
Auburn Police Department
This is the primary local law enforcement agency responsible for public safety and the implementation of the drone trial in Auburn.
Skydio
This is a California-based technology company that manufactures the autonomous drones used by the police department for this trial.
Axon
This is an Arizona-based company that specializes in law enforcement technology and is the contractor for the potential permanent drone program.
The details
Trained pilots remotely deployed the two Skydio X10 drones to incoming calls, allowing for real-time aerial overwatch and assistance in locating vehicles or individuals. The trial successfully resolved 10.2% of calls without requiring an officer to be dispatched to the scene.
Timeline
The drone trial program began on September 11, 2026.
The trial concluded on October 9, 2026.
Results from the pilot program were released on October 15, 2026.
The permanent program is proposed to launch in January 2027.
Legal Context
This pilot program functions as a operational precursor to the 2027-2028 Axon contract renewal currently under consideration. The results provide the necessary performance data for the City Council to weigh against broader public safety spending in the upcoming budget cycle.
Residents may see an increase in aerial surveillance as drones respond to calls to assist officers. The program is designed to resolve certain police calls remotely, which may reduce the frequency of patrol units arriving at minor incident scenes.
The takeaway
Automated drone technology is emerging as a critical tool for police to gather information before arriving at a scene. Implementing these systems requires balancing clear operational benefits with municipal budget oversight and ongoing public transparency.
What happens next
The City Council is expected to vote on the 2027-2028 budget, which includes the funding request for the permanent drone program, prior to the proposed January 2027 launch date.
Further reading
For more information on departmental operations, visit Auburn Law Enforcement.
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Do you support your local police department using drones to respond to emergency calls?
