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LVMPD lieutenant outlines drone-as-first-responder program, says drones arrive before patrol about 70% of the time
Summary
At the May 12, 2026 State of Nevada Commission on Homeland Security meeting, Lieutenant Dan Sajo briefed on LVMPD's drone-as-first-responder program: 38 drones across 12 dock "hives," CAD integration with ShotSpotter, about 10,000 flights in 2026 so far and claimed the drone arrives before patrol roughly 70% of the time.
Lieutenant Dan Sajo of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department briefed the commission on May 12 on LVMPD's drone-as-first-responder (DFR) program, describing how drones are dispatched to certain 911 calls to provide live video and situational awareness before patrol officers arrive.
Sajo said the agency operates 12 dock "hive" locations that together cover approximately 130 square miles and that LVMPD has a fleet of 38 remotely operated drones plus 16 mobile units deployed from patrol vehicles. "At the most basic level, a drone is a first responder or DFR means dispatching drones to calls for service much like we would do for a patrol officer," Sajo told the commission.
The lieutenant described an integrated system that ties drone pilots into computer-aided dispatch and the Fusion Watch real-time crime center. He said drones arrive before officers about 70% of the time, that the program has approached 10,000 flights so far in 2026 and has assisted in more than 440 arrests. Sajo also highlighted multi-drone operations and live video sharing with officers, supervisors and partner agencies during dynamic incidents.
Commission members asked about airspace safety near Las Vegas's airports and the program's effect on traditional air support. Sajo said airports are treated as a "zero grid" and the program avoids flying near airports without special FAA permission; "we're flying at an altitude so low that even if we did, there would be no impact with any type of plane," he said. Sheriff Kevin McMahill noted the program has not yet reduced helicopter hours but said drones could allow the department to rely less on helicopters over time, and he described ongoing coordination to expand access for neighboring jurisdictions.
Sajo emphasized transparency and public accountability, saying LVMPD documents and posts flight data to its website. The commission took no formal action on the briefing; members thanked the presenters and the meeting moved on to the next agenda item.
Next steps described to the commission included continued interjurisdictional coordination to extend DFR coverage across Henderson, North Las Vegas and other neighboring agencies, and maintaining public access to flight documentation.
