York Regional Police says four remotely operated drones will be deployed across the region during a six-month pilot project aimed at improving response times and giving officers real-time information before they arrive on scene.
By Staff Writer
York Regional Police has launched a new “Drone as First Responder” pilot program that will see drones dispatched to some emergency calls ahead of officers.
The six-month pilot project will place four drones at police facilities across York Region. Operated remotely by members of the Air Support Unit from the service’s Real-Time Operations Centre, the drones can be activated within seconds and arrive on scene in minutes, according to police.
Police say the drones are intended to provide dispatchers and responding officers with real-time aerial information to improve situational awareness, response times and officer safety. The drones will be deployed selectively, rather than used for continuous patrols or routine surveillance.
According to YRP, the drones do not automatically record video or photos. Recording functions must be manually activated by the pilot and are intended for evidence collection when appropriate.
The drones will be housed in weather-proof docking stations installed at selected YRP buildings across the region. Police say the pilot project will be evaluated after six months to determine whether the system should be expanded.
YRP says the initiative reflects a broader effort to use emerging technology to support policing operations and emergency response.