DELTA Police on Thursday announced the launch of a new initiative: “Drone as First Responder” (DFR) program.

This aim is 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.

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.

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 Delta Police stressed that a DFR drone’s camera does not record as it flies to its response zone. Camera recording begins only when the drone operator determines there is evidentiary value.

The DFR program builds on the Delta Police’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 by the Delta Police Department 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 Delta Police Department said it is committed to transparency and will continuously engage with the community to address any concerns.