Faced with staffing shortages and growing demand for faster, safer response, Oklahoma City Police Department set out to transform how it protects its community. The solution: a fully integrated Drone as First Responder (DFR) program, using Axon Air and NDAA-compliant Skydio drones launched from secure, strategically placed docks.
From the start, the results have been profound. In a critical incident where an officer was shot, drones launched in under 90 seconds—delivering real-time aerial intelligence that helped direct ground teams and reduce risk during the arrest.
With Axon Air, we're not just responding faster — we're responding smarter.
But the impact goes far beyond speed. OKCPD now uses drone intel to determine whether a full ground response is needed—often resolving calls without dispatching officers. The ability to assess mental health crises from the air, clear scenes remotely, and respond to evolving threats with precision has redefined operational efficiency.
Fully integrated with Axon Fusus and Axon Evidence, OKCPD’s DFR program provides a real-time view of incidents—bringing together drone feeds, license plates, addresses, and more in a single pane of glass. This level of connectivity has helped OKCPD accelerate investigations, strengthen coordination, and enhance officer safety.
For OKCPD, success wasn’t just about adopting new tools—it was about aligning with the right partner and the right ecosystem. “If you’re looking to do something on this level,” they explain, “you need the right partner.”
With Axon Air DFR—powered by the Axon ecosystem and NDAA-compliant Skydio drones—they found that partner, and a faster, smarter, safer way to serve their city.