Drone as a First Responder (DFR)
Unlike the department’s Patrol Drone Program, the DFR program utilizes a strategically placed drone docking station within the city. From the police department, trained remote pilots can deploy the drone directly to calls for service, allowing it to typically arrive on scene in under three minutes.
This program provides responding officers with real-time situational awareness, helping them better understand the circumstances before arriving on scene. The aerial perspective supports faster, more informed decision-making and, in some cases, may assist with de-escalation or reduce the number of officers needed at a scene.
Safe operations within the airspace over the City of Round Rock are supported in part through partnerships with community members who voluntarily host optical nodes on their rooftops. These nodes support the department’s Detect, Alert, and Avoid (DAA) system, which allows remote pilots to monitor the airspace and ensure it remains clear of both manned and unmanned aircraft.
The Round Rock Police Department is committed to the responsible and transparent use of drone technology. DFR flights are deployed only for clearly defined public safety purposes. To maintain transparency, the department provides a public dashboard where residents can review program-related flight data.
