‘Game changer’: Ill. PD to launch Drone as First Responder program

Oak Brook PD will use drones to respond to incidents such as burglaries, retail thefts and other in-progress crimes

7 Steps to a Successful Drone Program Starting a Police Department Drone Program.jpg

OAK BROOK, Ill. – Police in the Chicago suburb of Oak Brook will soon begin using drones as first responders to 911 calls, marking one of the first programs of its kind in Illinois, CBS News Chicago reported.

The initiative is set to launch at the end of April and aims to improve response times, officer safety and the ability to gather evidence during emergencies, according to the report.

The drones, deployed from the police station roof, can travel up to 50 mph at 400 feet in elevation. Operated remotely from command centers, they will respond to incidents such as burglaries, retail thefts and other in-progress crimes, arriving before officers to provide live video feeds of scenes, according to the report.

Oak Brook Police Chief Brian Strockis called the technology a “game changer,” noting it will not replace officers, but enhance their capabilities.


The next generation of DFR programs will reduce costs and expand operational periods by allowing public safety agencies to utilize the least number of human resources

DuPage County State’s Attorney Bob Berlin said the real-time video evidence gathered by drones will significantly strengthen prosecutions. The drones are being supplied through a three-year contract with Flock Safety, a company already providing similar services in states like California, Arizona and Georgia, according to the report.

Flock Safety and Oak Brook officials emphasized safeguards built into the program. Drone cameras face forward during flight and activate recording only upon arrival. Each flight is logged, with reports made available to the public online, according to the report. Chief Strockis stressed the drones are not for surveillance and are intended to support both community and officer safety.

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Joanna Putman is an Associate Editor and newswriter at Police1, where she has been covering law enforcement topics since August 2023. Based in Orlando, Florida, she holds a journalism degree from the University of Florida and spent two years working in nonprofit local newsrooms, gaining experience in community-focused reporting. Married to a law enforcement officer, she works hard to highlight the challenges and triumphs of those who serve and protect. Have a news tip? Email her at news@lexipol.com