Drone First Responder (DFR) Pilot Project

1. Police receive a call for service

   1. A call taker receives a call for service and information is relayed to a police dispatcher, who helps to evaluate an appropriate response.

2. Drone is deployed

   1. If appropriate, a drone is launched from a secure, weather-proof stations.

3. Drone is operated remotely

   1. A trained operator assigned to the DFR project controls the drone from the real-time operation centre (RTOC).

4. Information is shared with first responders

   1. Video footage is relayed to dispatch and officers in the RTOC, who use the information to guide responding officers and deploy resources needed.

DFR dock locations were selected based upon:  Call-for-service volume and crime data for incidents meeting DFR criteria; the coverage and capabilities of the DFR equipment; and, the availability and suitability of DRPS property, Regional Municipality of Durham property or property of a community partner willing to host a DFR dock site governed through a memorandum of understanding.

DFR call criteria will typically include Priority 1 and 2 CFS, Crime-in-Progress and other calls at the discretion of the Regional Duty Inspector, communications supervisors or the DFR Remote Pilot-In-Control.  Calls for service can including but not limited to; missing persons, robbery in progress, assault in progress, unknown trouble, suspect apprehension pursuits, officer emergencies, armed persons, impaired following, home invasion, break and enter in progress, prowler etc.

Recording is governed by the standards established by both the Air Support Unit and the Body Worn Camera Unit. Recording will only be initiated when there is a clear investigative purpose, ensuring alignment with operational and privacy requirements. This includes situations where evidence gathering, documentation of an incident, or officer accountability is required.

Recording does not begin at the time of launch or deployment. Instead, it is activated at the discretion of the operator once a qualifying investigative circumstance is identified. Recording will cease once the investigative need has concluded, in accordance with applicable policies and procedures.

Safety is the top priority. DFR drones operate under strict aviation rules, are regularly maintained, and are flown by certified operators. They are not flown when conditions are unsafe.

DFR drones are also equipped with compliant parachute recovery and flight termination systems, adding an extra layer of safety and supporting lawful flights over populated areas.

If a drone is involved in a collision, malfunction, flyaway, injury, or any other safety-related incident, DRPS will take immediate steps to protect public safety and review what happened.

The drone operator must notify the appropriate supervisors, fully document the incident, and ensure the drone is not repaired or altered until it has been reviewed.

If the incident involves injury or property damage, DRPS will complete the required reports and take any necessary investigative steps.

When required, DRPS will also report aviation incidents to Transport Canada, the Transportation Safety Board, or any other appropriate authority within the required timelines.

Any drone involved in a significant incident will be taken out of service until it has been reviewed and cleared through the proper maintenance and supervisory process.

DRPS has completed more than 6,700 testing, training and operational drone flights with no aviation incidents or public safety concerns.

No. Drones are never used for general surveillance or routine monitoring. They are deployed only for specific emergency or operational incidents.

Any video captured is limited to what is necessary for emergency response and is handled under strict privacy laws and policy.

No. The DFR program does not use facial recognition or automated identification technologies.

No. The program is incident‑driven and comparable to dispatching a patrol unit or helicopter for a specific incident.

Only authorized personnel with legitimate operational, investigative, or accountability-related purposes.

Access is logged and auditable.

Data is kept only as long as required, following police data retention laws and privacy controls.

Only if there is a legitimate emergency—such as a missing person or public safety threat. They are not used for routine observation.

No. All flights comply with Transport Canada regulations and coordination requirements.

No. Drones support officers by providing information—they do not perform enforcement.

The program follows police governance, aviation rules, privacy legislation, internal accountability, and independent oversight.

Any misuse would be investigated and addressed like any other police system.

Yes. The public can contact DRPS through regular channels. Transparency is a core part of this pilot.

Funding comes from DRPS resources and innovation/research partnerships. This is a pilot being evaluated before any decision on expansion.