In Fairfax County, police are using groundbreaking new technology to streamline procedures and speed up police response time. For example, the new Drone as First Responder (DFR) program is the first of its kind in the region. FCPD can currently deploy a drone to help investigate an incident from nine docking stations (soon to be 18) around the county.
A ‘Game Changer’
“I’ve never been this excited about anything that’s been introduced to law enforcement,” FCPD Chief Kevin Davis says. “This is really a game changer.”
From the time FCPD receives a call, the Skydio drones can typically reach the scene in under 90 seconds. The drones can locate suspects and give first responders an aerial view of the area quickly. “That is big for us getting information to our police officers and our firefighters, so that they can make better decisions while they’re on calls for service,” says Maj. Hudson Bull.
The drones can fly at 35 mph and stay in the air for about 25 minutes.
In March, a drone was used to locate a peeping tom suspect in Reston. It was able to reach the scene in just 38 seconds. And in April, the DFR program was pivotal in helping to locate and apprehend a burglary suspect in the Centreville area. A drone was deployed within 30 seconds of a detective spotting a burglary suspect in the area. It was then able to locate and track the suspect so police could obtain a search warrant and take the suspect into custody.
In another case, drones helped school staff members locate an autistic student who had left the school building. After drone footage showed where the student was hiding, officers were able to safely return the student to school.
The DFR program was recognized in July by the National Association of Counties with a 2026 Achievement Award and was selected as Best in Category for Criminal Justice and Public Safety.
Real Time Crime Center
The DFR program is just one example of how the department is embracing tech. FCPD operates a Real Time Crime Center, a central hub for technology, data, and live support for officers and investigators.
From the center, officers can watch live camera feeds, tune into officer-worn body cameras in real time, and monitor service calls. Currently, 18 full-time police employees and one fire and rescue employee are based in the RTCC.
Another recent development is the ability to use AI to transcribe 911 calls live. The program can flag the severity of incidents, alert RTCC personnel, and enable a DFR deployment as dispatchers continue to gather information.
“The Real Time Crime Center continues to transform how we respond to emergencies by putting innovative technology to work in support of our officers, firefighters, and dispatchers,” Davis says.
Feature image by Emily Perez
This story originally ran in our September issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to Northern Virginia Magazine.
