DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT (DLE) LAUNCHES FIRST DOCK BASED DRONE SYSTEM
STATE OF HAWAIʻI
KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI
JOSH GREEN, M.D.
GOVERNOR
KE KIAʻĀINA
DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT
KA ʻOIHANA HOʻOKŌ KĀNĀWAI
JARED REDULLA
DIRECTOR
KA LUNA HO‘OKELE
DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT (DLE) LAUNCHES FIRST DOCK BASED DRONE SYSTEM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 18, 2026
HONOLULU — The Hawai‘i Department of Law Enforcement (DLE) is launching a new high-tech dock-based drone system to fight crime more efficiently and protect first responders and victims. DLE’s “Drone as First Responder” (DFR) program uses unmanned aircraft systems to respond to designated emergency calls and requests for assistance, providing responding personnel with real-time aerial information before ground units arrive.
DLE is providing Hawai‘i with its first drone docking stations. These systems handle the entire operational lifecycle, including automatic takeoff, precision landing, fast battery charging and data offloading—making them ideal for continuous security, critical infrastructure inspections, and emergency response.
“When the drone goes out there, first it’s capturing information indicating whether the person has a weapon, what the suspect looks like, the exact location and possible victims on scene,” said DLE Director Jared Redulla. “By arriving quickly at an incident, DFR can help responding personnel assess conditions, identify potential hazards, coordinate resources, and make more informed decisions to support a safer and more effective emergency response.”
“This is such an exciting time for the law enforcement community in Hawai‘i. We look forward to bringing this technology to various locations throughout the state in cooperation with our county police departments,” said DLE Special Chief Investigator Mike Lambert. “Our overarching goal is to keep Hawai‘i one of the safest states to raise a family or enjoy a vacation by quickly identifying threats to the community,”
The first building to receive the DFR will be Kekuanaoa Building (also known as the State Tax Department Building) at 850 Punchbowl Street in Honolulu. The building is managed by the Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS), whose director applauds the use of technology in crime fighting.
“DAGS is pleased to be part of the rollout of this new program that promises to keep officers, first responders and the community safer,” noted Keith Regan, who is also the Acting Lieutenant Governor and the state’s comptroller.
How the DFR program works:
A designated request for assistance is received by DLE or a participating county police department.
An authorized DFR mission is initiated, and the aircraft is deployed by certified personnel.
- Real-Time Aerial Information
The drone provides live aerial information that can help responders assess conditions and identify potential hazards before ground personnel arrive.
DLE and partner-agency personnel use the information to determine an appropriate response and coordinate resources.
The DLE/DFR program will be operated in partnership with other state and county first responder agencies. FAA-certified pilots support authorized DFR deployments and provide real-time aerial information to first responders.
The DLE has been using crew– based outdoor drones over the past year for specialty operations such as high-risk fugitive apprehension, illegal hunting, and fireworks enforcement. This new dock-based drone system is geared to assist traditional police response for in– progress criminal activity.
For more information about the DFR program and the use of drones for law enforcement purposes go to https://law.hawaii.gov/drone-as-first-responder-dfr/.
RESOURCES
For DLE drone video use this link xxxxx Courtesy Hawai‘i Department of Law Enforcement.
Media contact:
David Patterson
Public Information Officer
Department of Law Enforcement, State of Hawai‘i
Cell: 808-225-4283
Email: [email protected]
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