Unlocking the Future of First Response with Skydio Remote Flight Deck

Deepu John joined Skydio as a Solutions Engineer in 2021. In this role, he collaborates with account executives and the sales team to conduct equipment demonstrations, technical validations, and proofs of concept. Deepu is widely recognized for his expertise in the use of drones in law enforcement.

Before joining Skydio, Deepu served 20 years in the New York City Police Department. During his tenure, he held the position of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Coordinator within the Technical Assistance Response Unit (TARU). His responsibilities included managing the technical and regulatory aspects of the NYPD's UAS program, researching new technologies, and establishing training standards and curriculum for UAS pilots. He also served as the program's Chief UAS Pilot. Deepu has earned the rank of Detective Second Grade in the NYPD and has received several awards and commendations from his work in technical investigations and electronic surveillance.

Deepu has served as a member of the faculty at the NYPD Criminal Investigator’s Course. He has also served as an advisor to the FAA’s Unmanned Traffic Management working group and the Droneresponders Major Cities Working Group. Deepu has served at the State University of New York, Albany’s National Center for Security and Preparedness as a UAS instructor.

Through his role at Skydio, Deepu continues to work closely with public safety and law enforcement agencies across the country to unlock the potential of drones to make the work of law enforcement agencies safer and more effective.

Jason LaFond is a technology leader with eighteen years of law enforcement experience and a retired Detective with the New York City Police Department who values dedication, service, and excellence. With his new role at Skydio as a Customer Success Manager, Jason is responsible for ensuring his customer's drone programs are successful using Skydio's products and services.

Working in the NYPD's Information Technology Bureau, he managed several initiatives, including the mobility project, where he was the project manager for installing over 3000 tablets in the Department's response vehicles.

As the program manager of the NYPD's Body-Worn Camera Program, Jason brought the Department from zero cameras in 2017 to the largest deployment in the world, with over 25,000 cameras in 158 Commands. Jason is a certified New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services general topics instructor and CEW instructor from Axon.

NYPD awarded Jason a Commendation Medal, Meritorious Police Duty, and Unit Citation. In 2010 he was awarded a Certificate of Merit and Life Saving Award from the Irvington (NY) Police Department.

Jason has provided expert testimony in criminal proceedings as a subject matter expert with body-worn cameras, in-car video, interview room systems, and digital evidence. He is also FAA Part 107 certified as a commercial drone pilot and a Naval Postgraduate School Center for Homeland Defense and Security's Emergence Program graduate.