Gwinnett County police launch drone first responder program

Released today by GCPD

Lawrenceville, Ga., Oct. 22, 2026) – The Gwinnett County Police Department is launching its Drone First Responder (DFR) program, introducing technology to enhance emergency response capabilities.

The program allows drones to be launched remotely from automated docking stations at the North and Central Precincts in response to certain emergency calls. The drones will be operated by trained personnel in the department's Situational Awareness and Crime Response Center (SACRC) and can provide a live aerial view of an incident before officers arrive, allowing critical information to be relayed to responding units.

The drones will be used for authorized emergency response and public safety incidents, not routine patrols.

The DFR program is another step in the department's continued efforts to use technology to improve public safety, providing officers with additional resources to respond to emergencies more safely and effectively.