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Home My WebLink About2026-07-14; Community-Police Engagement Commission; 03; Drone Program Update with Success StoriesMeeting Date: July 14, 2026 To: Community-Police Engagement Commission From: Faviola Medina, Director of Constituent & Clerk Services Staff Contact: Christie Calderwood, Chief of Police christie.calderwood@carlsbadca.gov, 442-339-2216 Subject: Drone Program Update with Success Stories District: All Recommended Action Receive an update from the Chief of Police regarding the Drone Program with success stories. Fiscal Analysis This action has no fiscal impact. Environmental Evaluation The proposed action is not a “project” as defined by California Environmental Quality Act, or CEQA, Section 21065 and CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(5) and does not require environment review under CEQA Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3) and 15061(b)(3), because the proposed action to receive an update from the Police Chief regarding the Drone Program with success stories is an organizational or administrative government activity that does not involve any commitment to any specific project which may result in a potentially significant physical impact on the environment. Any subsequent action or direction stemming from the proposed action may require preparation of an environmental document in accordance with CEQA or CEQA Guidelines. Exhibits None. Community-Police Engagement Commission July 14, 2026 Item #3 Page 1 of 1 Update on Police Department Drone Program Christie Calderwood, Chief of Police July 14, 2026 2 POLICE DEPARTMENT UAS/DRONE PROGRAM I T E M 3 : D R O N E P R O G R A M U P D AT E •Unmanned Aerial System (UAS), also known as the Drone Program, was established in 2017 & is governed by P.D Policy 345 •From January 2026 to June 2026, the department piloted a “Drone as a 1st Responder” (DFR) program 3 STATISTICS FROM DFR PILOT I T E M 3 : D R O N E P R O G R A M RESULTS: •Since September of 2025, the department deployed a drone in the downtown Village an average of 1-2 days a week while piloting a “DFR” •During that time, the drone made 195 flights and cleared 64 calls without an officer having to respond •The average time for the drone to arrive on scene at the call was approximately 95 seconds •The statistics during this time frame indicate that the drone can clear, on average 33% of calls prior to an officer’s arrival 4 BENEFITS TO DRONE PROGRAM •Improves Officer Safety •Faster search and rescue •Better situational awareness •Traffic and crash documentation •Crime scene documentation •Low operating costs compared to helicopter •Public safety at large events I T E M 3 : D R O N E P R O G R A M U P D AT E 5 SUCCESSFUL ARRESTS FROM DRONE •Foot pursuit after traffic stop with suspect hiding in residential neighborhood causing shelter in place & SWAT call out •Located vehicle from LPR hit that was wanted for a carjacking •Courier scam in progress with elderly victim-suspect fled I T E M 3 : D R O N E P R O G R A M U P D AT E 6 I T E M 3 : D R O N E P R O G R A M U P D AT E QUESTIONS?