City of Olathe
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Drones as First Responders
501 E. Old 56 Hwy.
Olathe, Kansas 66061
For Immediate Release: Contact: Sergeant John Moncayo
March 31, 2026 (913) 971-6950 or (913) 971-6994
Incident: Olathe PD Launches DFR Program
Location: Olathe, Kansas
Date: March 27th, 2026
On Friday, March 27th, 2026, the Olathe Police Department launched a new program, Drones as First Responders (DFR) - an initiative designed to strengthen community safety through innovative technology. By providing real-time intelligence and video to officers, DFR will improve operational efficiency and support both citizen and officer safety.
DFR drones will be deployed in specific situations to give responding officers a live view of the scene, including potential suspect locations and other critical details. They may also be used in hazardous environments where sending people in immediately could increase risk. Deployments may include, but are not limited to fires, chemical spills, robberies, armed standoffs, and searches for individuals who have fled from a crime.
Because drones can often arrive faster than patrol units – especially when traffic congestion or difficult access slows ground response – DFR helps deliver timely, actionable information early in an incident. The department currently has four first responder drones, housed strategically throughout the city to maximize coverage and response capability. Police employees will be trained to operate the drones, and the drones will not be armed in any way.
Adding DFR to our public safety toolkit builds on the Olathe Police Department’s commitment to innovation and also creates opportunities for collaborative drone applications across City departments.