Fargo Police Department Proposes $13 Million Technology Contract Including Drones, Tasers, and Body Cameras
Fargo, ND – December 19, 2025 — The Fargo Police Department is seeking to enhance its law enforcement capabilities through advanced technology, proposing a major $13 million contract renewal with Axon, a company known for public safety technology products. The proposal, set to be reviewed by the Fargo City Commission on Monday, December 22, 2025, includes the addition of drones, Tasers, body cameras, and other policing technologies in a 10-year program.
Integration of Drone Technology as “First Responders”
At the heart of the proposed contract is "Axon Air," a drone program billed as a "drone as a first responder" solution. According to Fargo Police Chief Dave Zibolski, drones offer critical advantages by arriving on scene moments before human officers, providing real-time aerial assessments of crowds, possible weapons, and the overall layout of an incident area.
"The aerial technology can be deployed in a variety of scenarios such as missing person investigations, crowd monitoring during events, and hazardous situations where officer safety is paramount," Chief Zibolski explained. "Using drones could also minimize the need to send multiple police units to uncertain or potentially dangerous calls."
Axon, the company behind the technology, promotes Axon Air as the only fully integrated public safety drone solution currently available, designed to seamlessly integrate with other law enforcement tools.
A Significant Investment Compared to Previous Contract
This new contract represents a substantial increase compared to Fargo Police Department’s initial agreement with Axon in 2021, which was valued at roughly $3 million. The expanded $13 million deal reflects the department’s growing commitment to incorporating modern technology into everyday policing.
Alongside the drone program, the contract renewal includes updated Tasers, body-worn cameras for officers, and additional technological tools intended to improve both community safety and operational effectiveness.
City Commission to Review Contract
The Fargo City Commission will hold a meeting on Monday, December 22, at City Hall, located at 225 Fourth St. N., to consider the proposed contract renewal. Chief Zibolski has submitted detailed documentation to the commissioners outlining the expected efficiency improvements and safety benefits from the technology integration.
As the police department continues to modernize, residents and officials alike will be watching closely to see how these new tools impact policing and community relations in Fargo.
Reporting by Ryan McNamara, WDAY
© 2025 INFORUM and Forum Communications Company
