Brooklyn Park Police Expands Drone Program with $4.6 Million “Drone as a First Responder” System

Brooklyn Park, MN — The Brooklyn Park Police Department (BPPD) is set to deploy a $4.6 million “Drones as a First Responder” (DFR) system, marking a major expansion of the city’s existing drone program. The initiative is designed to provide rapid aerial intelligence to first responders, improving response times, enhancing officer safety, and offering advanced situational awareness during emergencies.

Advanced Technology and Strategic Deployment

The DFR system, unanimously approved by the Brooklyn Park City Council, will utilize drones purchased from Axon Enterprise, Inc., a leading provider of public safety technology. The program will feature:

• Up to 12 autonomous drones deployed from 10 strategically placed docking stations throughout the city.
• Self-dispatching technology, allowing drones to launch automatically in response to certain 911 calls.
• Integration with a supervised operations center, where advanced computers can recognize objects such as firearms and provide real-time intelligence to patrol officers.

According to Police Chief Mark Bruley, drones will be over nearly any location in the city within 40 to 120 seconds after a qualifying call is received, drastically reducing the gap between emergency calls and initial situational assessment.

Operational Benefits

The DFR system is intended to serve multiple tactical and public safety functions:

• Search and Rescue: Utilizing thermal imaging to locate missing or vulnerable adults and children in wooded or low-visibility areas.
• Suspect Apprehension: Assisting officers in tracking individuals actively fleeing arrest.
• High-Risk Warrant Execution: Allowing officers to assess dangerous situations inside residences before entry, which may help de-escalate potential conflicts.
• Emergency Response: Providing aerial intelligence during natural disasters, active shooter events, or hostage situations.
• Crime Scene Management: Documenting and preserving evidence with aerial footage.

Privacy and Policy Considerations

The BPPD has implemented strict policies to protect civil liberties and comply with Minnesota State Statute 626.19. Key restrictions include:

• Prohibited Uses: Random public surveillance, monitoring protests, deploying facial recognition without a warrant, targeting individuals based on race, religion, or gender, and equipping drones with weapons.
• Data Retention: Drone footage will be deleted after three days, unless it becomes part of an active criminal investigation.
• Transparency: The department plans to launch a public portal detailing flight paths, timing, and reasons for each drone dispatch.

Program Catalyst

The adoption of the DFR system was influenced by a high-profile 2025 manhunt in Brooklyn Park. During that incident, the department’s existing drone program proved useful but highlighted a critical limitation: manual drone deployment could take three to five minutes, potentially delaying real-time situational awareness. The new autonomous system aims to provide near-instantaneous aerial coverage, addressing this gap.

Cost and Duration

The $4.6 million program will be implemented over a 10-year period as part of a broader contract with Axon. The agreement includes:

• Replacing drones every 2.5 years.
• Upgrading docking stations and integrating future fixed-wing drones as technology evolves.

Chief Bruley described the DFR system as one of the most significant public safety enhancements in his three-decade career, citing its potential to save lives, protect officers, and improve emergency response efficiency.

MinneapoliMedia