Calgary Police launches 90-day Drone as First Responder trial in northeast and southeast

Calgary Police Service launched its Drone as First Responder trial Thursday, deploying two Skydio X10 drones to select emergency incidents in northeast and southeast Calgary for 90 days.

The drones will be operated remotely by sworn CPS members trained as drone pilots and deployed from a secure location in northeast Calgary when eligible calls for service are identified. The trial aims to evaluate how remotely piloted drones can support emergency response and public safety by providing responding officers with real-time aerial information.

"The Drone as First Responder model has been successfully implemented by other police agencies and has shown potential to enhance emergency response," said Supt. Jodi Gach of Calgary Police Service's Operational Support Division. "This trial will help us determine how the technology can support public safety in Calgary by providing responding officers with valuable information about an incident, often before they arrive on scene."

The drones can potentially arrive before responding officers, providing an early view of an incident to help members identify risks, locate individuals and make informed operational decisions. The trial differs from previous CPS drone use, which has supported public safety operations, emergency incidents, searches and investigations for several years. This new deployment model allows drones to respond directly to select calls for service and provide information during early stages of incidents.

Transport Canada has approved the use of the drones, and the 90-day trial is being conducted in accordance with Transport Canada regulations and CPS policies. The Skydio X10 features high-resolution visual and radiometric cameras and is the first drone to integrate Teledyne FLIR Boson+ sensor for thermal imaging.