The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved the Elk Grover (California) Police Department’s request for a Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) waiver, enabling the agency to conduct drone operations across the city without the need for human visual observers (VO).

Elk Grove PD said in a release that its advanced Detect and Avoid (DAA) airspace observation technology can now replace VOs. The agency adds that its BVLOS waiver represents the largest square miles of approval for law enforcement drone operations in the nation and allows the operation of drones at an altitude up to 400 feet.

Since its initial launch in May 2024, the Elk Grove PD’s DFR program has safely flown more than 1000 flights. The drones integrate with technology in Elk Grove’s Real-Time Information Center (RTIC).

Elk Grove PD says the integration between DFR drones and its Real Time Information Center allows staff to:

• Quickly locate, report, and track suspects and vehicles involved in ongoing crimes.

• Guide ground resources effectively at the scene and beyond.

• Enhance decision-making through immediate, actionable intelligence.

“The approval of our BVLOS waiver is a monumental step forward for our DFR Program,” said Bobby Davis, chief of the Elk Grove PD. “This advancement reflects our commitment to leveraging innovative technology to enhance public safety while maintaining accountability and transparency in our operations.”