The City of Minnetonka is proud to have received the 2026 City of Excellence Award in the 30,000-and-over population category for its Drones as First Responders (DFR) program from the League of Minnesota Cities. 

City of Excellence Awards are given annually by the League of Minnesota Cities in three population categories and one topical category, and recognize Minnesota cities for their outstanding programs or projects.

Launched in August 2025, the Minnetonka Police Department's DFR program is the first of its kind in Minnesota. Developed through a collaborative effort involving the police department, fire department, information technology staff, public works and city leadership, the program integrated unmanned aerial systems into daily public safety operations, allowing drones to be dispatched to certain 911 calls and provide aerial support to police and fire personnel responding to emergencies. 

"Information is power, and the more we can have on the front end, we can develop good solutions and slow things down," said Minnetonka Police Chief Scott Boerboom.

Since implementation, drones have arrived on scene before first responders on 67% of calls, providing critical information that helped responders assess emergency situations, allocate resources and make informed decisions before personnel arrived. In 18% of calls, incidents were resolved without dispatching ground units, allowing police officers and firefighters to remain available for higher-priority emergencies. 

The DFR program was designed with transparency and accountability as guiding principles. Policies ensure drones are used only for calls for service, not for routine surveillance, balancing public safety benefits with community expectations for privacy. Through innovation, collaboration and responsible implementation, the city has created a model for modern emergency response that improves service while making efficient use of public resources.