FAA BVLOS waiver expands Oakland County Sheriff’s drone operations with Dedrone

One of the first agencies to receive FAA's Certificate of Waiver; Establishes nation’s largest single node DFR Operational Area, powered by DedroneBeyond.

The Oakland County, Michigan, Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with Dedrone by Axon, is enhancing public safety through advancements to its Drone-as-First-Responder (DFR) program. Oakland County is among the first law enforcement agencies in the United States to obtain the FAA’s streamlined Certificate of Waiver (COW), enabling 24/7 DFR beyond visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) operations from ground level up to the maximum altitude of 400 feet. This is the largest operational volume the FAA has approved to date for flying BVLOS drone deployments using a single detect-and-avoid (DAA) system.

The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office leverages DedroneBeyond, Dedrone by Axon’s ground-based BVLOS DAA system, to ensure operational excellence and adherence to the highest safety standards. DedroneBeyond’s AI-driven multi-sensor fusion provides real-time airspace awareness, significantly enhancing safety and virtually eliminating false positives. Independent third-party validation testing demonstrated an exceptional detection range of approximately 5.6 miles, greatly exceeding American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) defined safety thresholds. This extended operational capability supports confident, informed decision-making in dynamic DFR environments, reinforcing Oakland County’s leadership in public safety innovation.

“We’re proud to support the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office as they lead the way in public safety by embracing advanced technologies like DedroneBeyond. This FAA waiver is a pivotal step, unlocking true BVLOS capabilities for their Drone-as-First-Responder program, and we're excited to witness the growth and positive impact that follows.” - Aaditya Devarakonda, CEO, Dedrone by Axon

Oakland County’s DFR Program has achieved:

• Rapid Response: Significantly faster response times, averaging less than three minutes.

• Operational Efficiency: Drone responses for more than 65% of emergency calls in DFR-covered areas, significantly enhancing first responder safety and effectiveness.

• Expanded Operations: DFR mission capabilities within a 20-square-mile area, supported by over 30 drones and more than 85 certified drone pilots, with capabilities to operate continuously and at varying altitudes.

Real-life impact:

A 911 call to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office came in from a concerned mother reporting that her teenage son, who has a cognitive disability, was experiencing a mental health crisis and might have a firearm while sitting on their front porch. The DFR team quickly deployed a drone, which arrived ahead of ground units.

Upon the DFR drone’s arrival, the pilot observed the teenager calmly seated, holding a black cell phone, not a firearm. Additionally, the drone’s live video feed showed a vehicle parked nearby.

Using these detailed observations, responding officers adjusted their tactics, approaching the teenager calmly without drawing their weapons. During their conversation, he admitted that firearms were in the nearby vehicle, consistent with the drone pilot’s observations.

Thanks to the quick deployment of DFR and the drone’s clear, live feed, officers were able to manage the situation safely and without escalation. The drone’s presence gave responders vital situational awareness that changed what could have been a high-risk encounter into a controlled, peaceful resolution.

Sheriff Michael J. Bouchard said, “Embracing validated technology like DedroneBeyond reinforces our commitment to proactively enhancing safety and preparedness for our community and first responders. This FAA waiver empowers us to provide a higher level of protection and faster response times for our community through continuous DFR operations beyond visual line-of-sight. ”

Oakland County’s drone program continues to evolve, adopting advanced technologies to deliver timely and effective emergency responses that keep the community safe.