News
Delta Police Department launches “Drone as First Responder” program

July 29, 2024, Delta, B.C. – The Delta Police Department has announced a new initiative: the “Drone as First Responder” (DFR) program. This tool aims to enhance community safety and well-being by deploying drones as an immediate response tool in certain emergency situations, improving response times to certain calls for service/police response.

The DFR program leverages advanced drone technology to provide rapid situational awareness during critical incidents. Equipped with high-resolution cameras and real-time video streaming capabilities, the drone will be dispatched to the scene of emergencies, allowing officers to assess situations from the air before arriving on the ground. This will enable faster and more informed decision-making, ultimately improving response times and outcomes.

The DFR program builds on the Delta Police Department’s existing use of drones for public safety and investigative response. The program is informed by a comprehensive Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA), ensuring that all drone use complies with legal privacy requirements and fosters public trust. Further, department policy governs drone use, ensuring that drones are deployed only in appropriate situations, and that any recorded data is handled confidentially and protected against unauthorized disclosure.

The DFR program is expected to enhance the department’s ability to respond to emergencies, such as critical incidents. By providing real-time aerial perspectives, the drones will support officers in making quicker and more effective decisions, potentially saving lives and reducing property damage. The program will also serve as a force multiplier, allowing the department to cover larger areas more efficiently.

Example:

• Call for service initiated
• Drone operator classifies call, makes decision to launch
• Operator launches drone from dock, regardless of operator’s physical location
• Drone arrives on scene prior to first responder attendance
• Operator maintains conduct of call until other responders are able to make contact with involved parties