Chico Police | Drones
Chico Police says its drone program began in July 2021 and flies 13 aircraft with ten licensed pilots. Its 2026 military equipment policy lists fifteen drones across six models and asks for three more Skydio X10 aircraft to build a Drone as First Responder program.
At a glance
- Program start
- July 2021 [1]
- Aircraft, per the department page
- 13 [1]
- Licensed pilots
- 10 [1]
- Aircraft in 2026 proposed inventory
- 15 across 6 models [2]
- Expansion requested
- 3 more Skydio X10 at $20,000 each, for a Drone as First Responder program [2]
- Governing policy
- Policy 709 (stamp 2026-06-02); Policy 611 in the manual [2]
How it happened
- Deployment
Program implemented
The department's program page states the unmanned aerial systems program was implemented in July 2021. [1]
- Context
2026 proposed inventory in Policy 709
Four DJI Mavic Mini, two DJI Mavic 2 Enterprise Advanced, three iFlight Alpha A85, three DJI Avata Pro-View, two DJI Matrice M30T, and one Skydio X10, with unit costs. [2]
- Expansion
Request for three more Skydio X10 drones
The policy's proposed expansion section asks "to purchase (3) additional Skydio X10 drones for building a Drone as First Responder Program," with funding "requested for the 26-27 budget," at $20,000 each. [2]
What the department says
The program page states that “In July 2021, the Chico Police Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) program, commonly known as drones, was implemented,” that the department “currently has ten pilots who hold a commercial drone, Part 107 license,” and that it “currently has 13 drones ranging from small ‘micros’ to our largest platform, the ‘Matrice 30’.”[1]
What the policy inventory lists
Policy 709’s 2026 proposed inventory lists four DJI Mavic Mini at $400 each, two DJI Mavic 2 Enterprise Advanced at $6,500 each, three iFlight Alpha A85 at $300 each, three DJI Avata Pro-View at $3,200 each, two DJI Matrice M30T at $14,700 each, and one Skydio X10 at $20,000. The Alpha A85 and the Avata are each described as “a surveillance tool used to enter structures prior to sending public safety personnel.”[2] The same inventory lists a Lenco Bearcat armored vehicle at $216,801.[2]
What is being asked for
Under proposed expansion acquisitions, the policy requests “(3) additional Skydio X10 drones for building a Drone as First Responder Program,” says “Funding for the program will be requested for the 26-27 budget,” and states the total Skydio X10 inventory “if approved, would be (4)” at $20,000 each.[2]
Questions
- How many drones does Chico Police have?
- The department page says 13, from micro drones to a Matrice 30. The 2026 proposed inventory in Policy 709 lists fifteen across six models. The two figures come from two documents and are reported as stated. [1] [2]
- What are the micro drones for?
- Policy 709 describes the iFlight Alpha A85 and DJI Avata Pro-View as built "to be a surveillance tool used to enter structures prior to sending public safety personnel." [2]
- What is the department asking for next?
- Policy 709's proposed expansion section requests three more Skydio X10 drones, at $20,000 each, "for building a Drone as First Responder Program," with funding to be requested in the 2026-27 budget. [2]
- Is flight history public?
- The department page says it partners with Airdata and Motorola Solutions to provide historical flight information and links to recent flight data. [1]
What we do not know
- Deployments by type and the annual report figures required by the policy.
- Whether the proposed 2026 inventory was adopted as listed.
What you can do
Show up
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What we have documented in Butte County →Protect yourself
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Surveillance Self-Defense →Sources
- 1. City of Chico, Police Drone Program · Primary document · accessed · archived copy
- 2. Chico Police Department Policy 709, Military Equipment, with 2026 Proposed Inventory · Primary document · · accessed · archived copy · our copy (349 KB)
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