BHPD Chief Mark Stainbrook, left, Lt. Todd Withers, retired Sgt. Don Chase and officer Phillip Arriaga celebrated the award for the department’s drone team. (photo courtesy of BHPD)

The Peace Officers Association of Los Angeles County announced that the Beverly Hills Police Department’s drone team has been selected to receive the prestigious 2024 Centurion Award for Excellence in Innovation. The award recognizes the BHPD’s groundbreaking achievements

in utilizing drone technology to enhance public safety and modernize law enforcement practices.

Under the leadership of Chief Mark G. Stainbrook and Lt. Todd Withers, the BHPD drone team has demonstrated extraordinary creativity and efficiency in incorporating drones into their daily operations. Their Drone as First Responder Program, officially launched in 2021, has quickly become a model of excellence, with proactive drone flights that support patrol operations, responding to incidents faster and more effectively than traditional methods. To date, the program has completed over 13,000 flights, with more than 6,000 of those being first on the scene.

The success of BHPD’s drone program is attributed to its innovative approach, which includes three levels of drone deployment: the DFR program, rapid deployment drones for tactical support and small interior drones for building and vehicle searches. The technology has played a pivotal role in safely resolving critical situations, including the apprehension of violent criminals and de-escalation of potentially dangerous incidents.

The BHPD’s commitment to privacy, transparency and community engagement has been at the forefront of their drone operations. By fostering trust and understanding through public outreach, the department has maintained an open dialogue with the community, ensuring that drone use aligns with the public’s expectations and values.

Stainbrook, Withers, the UAS Commander, and members of the BHPD drone team accepted the Centurion Award at the 2024 Centurion Awards Ceremony, where their innovative efforts in law enforcement will be celebrated.

For information, visit beverlyhills.org/548/police-department.