Officials said drones provided “improved situational awareness” that made the arrest safer and faster.
Brookhaven Expands Drone Program
Some departments are expanding drone programs as standard practice. Brookhaven Police announced an expansion of their Drone as First Responder (DFR) program. Chief Brandon Gurley said, “This is a smart, fiscally responsible decision that keeps Brookhaven at the forefront of modern policing. For the past five years, we’ve seen the edge that drones give us in our mission to enhance the quality of life in our community.”
The DFR model has already proven effective in Chula Vista, where drones can arrive on scene within 90 seconds. Captain English called the program “the single greatest piece of integrated technology that I’ve used—the impact is massive.”
Drone Technology Tracks Motorcyclist in Loveland
Police in Loveland, Colorado, also credited drones with helping catch a motorcyclist who evaded officers at speeds nearing 100 mph. After a crash and a foot chase, drones helped locate the suspect, who was later found to have narcotics and a history of robbery. He was booked into the Larimer County Jail.
The Future of Police Drones
At the Drone Thought Leadership Summit, held on August 25-26 in Falls Church, Virginia, experts emphasized how drones are redefining emergency response.
