The New Front Line: Drones in Public Safety & Search and Rescue

Every second counts when lives are on the line. Public safety agencies across the country rely on unmanned aerial systems (UAS) for faster response, safer outcomes, and smarter decisions. The results? Lives saved. Suspects found. Officers better equipped. 

Balancing Public Safety & Privacy Concerns

While drone technology continues to prove its value, some lawmakers and civil rights groups raise concerns around privacy and oversight. A 2024 bill in Maryland questioned warrantless drone use at protests, sparking debate about when and how aerial tools should be deployed (Stole, 2024). Organizations like the ACLU stress the importance of clear policies on data storage, flight duration, and purpose (Stanley, 2023).

Maverick’s stance: “Drones aren’t surveillance devices—they’re tools for safety and transparency. We advocate for strict SOPs: warrant use when appropriate, limited data retention, and clear oversight at every deployment.” — Adam, CEO, Maverick Drone Systems

Faster. Safer. Smarter.

Drone Teams Arrive First 83% of the Time

In Eugene, Oregon, the police department reported drones were first on scene in 83% of active calls through their Drone as First Responder (DFR) program. In 40% of those, a patrol unit was never deployed. Eleven arrests were made with direct support from live drone footage (Eugene PD, 2025).

Drones Deliver AEDs Over 16 Minutes Faster

In cardiac emergencies, drones equipped with defibrillators arrived an average of 16 minutes and 39 seconds faster than ambulances. That’s a life-saving difference, considering survival drops roughly 10% for every minute without defibrillation (Schierbeck et al., 2020).

Drones Outpace EMS in 67% of Calls

According to a study published in JAMA Network Open, drones beat EMS vehicles to emergency scenes in 67% of trials, arriving a median 3 minutes and 14 seconds faster (Bång et al., 2023). In critical cases, that window can mean everything.

What Police Departments Are Deploying Now

Across the country, law enforcement agencies are equipping their teams with drone and robotics systems designed to handle real missions, real terrain, and real risk. Here’s what they’re using:

DJI Matrice 30T – A compact, all-weather platform with integrated thermal, zoom, and laser rangefinder. Used for overwatch, missing persons, and tactical operations.

DJI Matrice 350 RTK + H30T – A long-endurance, precision flight system with high-resolution zoom and thermal optics. Ideal for SWAT support, disaster response, and extended perimeter scans.

Autel EVO Max 4T – An NDAA-compliant, intelligent flight system with AI-powered tracking, obstacle avoidance, and real-time data security—trusted by agencies prioritizing secure deployments.

Anzu Raptor T – U.S.-assembled and designed for sensitive operations, this platform supports domestic law enforcement with encrypted data transmission and high-quality optical payloads.

Deep Robotics X30 Pro – A rugged, all-terrain quadruped robot capable of autonomous navigation, stair climbing, remote video relay, and payload integration. Perfect for breach scenarios, confined space inspection, and tactical simulation.

The role of drones and robotics in law enforcement is no longer emerging—it’s established. These tools are giving agencies the speed, clarity, and reach they need to respond effectively in high-risk situations. At the same time, responsible use and public transparency remain critical. With the right policies and partners in place, departments can deploy this technology confidently—improving safety for both officers and the communities they serve.

Equip Your Team for the Mission Ahead

Whether responding to a crisis, searching for a missing person, or building situational awareness before a unit arrives on scene, the right tools save time and lives. At Maverick, we help departments build affordable, customized aerial and ground solutions tailored to your mission needs.

We keep top-performing systems in stock, offer hands-on training, and provide ongoing support to ensure your team gets the most out of every deployment—air or ground. From thermal drones to robotic platforms, we’ve got your six.

Call or email us today to discuss the best options for bringing drones and robotics into your fleet.

📞 612-808-9838 | 📩 sales@maverickdrone.com 

Maverick Drone Systems is proud to be a partner of the Drone Advocacy Alliance, a national coalition committed to protecting access to drone technology for public safety, education, and industry.

We stand behind responsible, transparent drone use—and believe agencies should have the freedom to choose the tools that best serve their mission. Together with the Alliance, we’re working to ensure fair policies and continued innovation in unmanned systems.

Want to take action? Check out droneadvocacyalliance.com/take-action to contact your lawmakers or sign a petition in support of keeping drone technology accessible.

🔴 Weekly Drone News & Industry Insights

Check back each week for expert breakdowns, field-tested solutions, and the latest in drone innovation across public safety, agriculture, surveying, and beyond.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

References

Bång, A., Claesson, A., Schierbeck, S., et al. (2023). Drone delivery of AEDs vs EMS arrival times. JAMA Network Open.

Eugene Police Department. (2025). DFR Annual Deployment Report.

Harlow, T. (2024, March 4). Minneapolis police expand drone program. Star Tribune.

Schierbeck, S., Claesson, A., Svensson, L., et al. (2020). Drone delivery of AEDs in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. European Heart Journal, 41(3), 241–249.

Stanley, J. (2023). Protecting privacy from aerial surveillance. ACLU.

Stole, B. (2024, February 16). Police use of drones raises privacy questions. Maryland Matters.