Seattle PD Takes Major Step To Implement Drone Surveillance

The Seattle Police Department (SPD) has quietly taken a major new step to implement drone surveillance in Seattle.

In November 2024, HardPressed published details of SPD's expansive plans for drone surveillance across the city. New documents obtained by HardPressed show that SPD signed a $20,000 contract with Axon in May 2025 to obtain Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) permitting that would allow SPD to use drones "beyond visual line of sight."

That permitting would allow SPD to implement a drone-as-first-responder surveillance system which the department quietly outlined behind closed doors in July 2023.

SPD and Axon did not yet respond to a request for comment.

In April 2024, Seattle’s Information Technology Department determined that SPD must proceed with a surveillance impact report process prior to implementing drone surveillance. The department has not publicly announced that process while SPD leadership is laying the groundwork for the "eventual use" of drones.

The Axon contract states that Axon will work with drone company Skydio to gain FAA approvals to operate drones beyond visual line of sight and in night flight operations.

In 2021, Axon and Skydio announced that they were "partnering to bring autonomous drones to law enforcement."

Skydio also supplies drones directly to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

"SPD does not currently operate unmanned aircraft systems and is not yet seeking to purchase unmanned aircraft systems," the contract states. "The work done by Axon and Skydio for this contract will satisfy the regulatory process with the FAA for the eventual use of unmanned aircraft systems by SPD."

In addition to using drones, SPD has previously worked with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to use counter-drone systems during SeaFair in 2023 and this year, DHS will release half a billion dollars in federal funding to implement counter-drone technology surrounding this summer's World Cup games across the U.S.