Nearly 1,500 police and sheriff’s departments across the United States were using drones by late 2024, representing a 150% increase since 2018. Law enforcement agencies deploy AI-powered drones for surveillance, search and rescue, incident documentation, and crime scene investigations. Drones are equipped with AI capabilities including license plate reading, crowd monitoring, and interpreting footage. San Diego County’s Chula Vista became the first city to launch a drone first responder programme in 2018, serving as a model nationwide. Privacy concerns have emerged, with police potentially gathering images from private property without warrants.
Retrieved: 2025-10-30 | Language: English | Reading time: 4 mins