The Redmond Police Department uses Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) to help officers assess scenes before ground units arrive, providing invaluable intelligence about how, where, and when to deploy ground units.
The UAS devices are used in many scenarios, including pre-tactical deployment reconnaissance, fugitive pursuit, search and rescue operations, crime scene documentation, and de-escalation.
By gaining valuable intelligence, UAS technology can enhance safety for officers, community members, and suspects.
Redmond has been using UAS since 2019. In April 2024, the department implemented a cutting-edge Drone as First Responder (DFR) program to respond to 911 calls. The DFR unit is comprised of officers as pilots who have licensing through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
This DFR technology improves response times and provides live aerial visuals to patrol units on the ground before they can arrive at an incident.
About the DFR program: A drone is flown remotely by a commissioned officer as the pilot and dispatched to calls along with patrol officers. The DFR can arrive faster than ground units, providing information about the incident and broadcasting video to any computer, tablet, or phone. Once overhead, the drone pilot can assess the situation and cancel the ground response if appropriate, freeing up emergency vehicles for other priority calls.
The drones provide critical information about an incident to help officers make better decisions and de-escalate otherwise unknown situations.
They are used to safely clear the interior of buildings, aid in suspect apprehension, document crime and crash scenes, and search for lost or missing persons. Drones are also used to help assess structure fires.
The drones have thermal imaging and cameras, which help officers locate missing persons or fleeing suspects in thickly wooded areas or assess potentially dangerous situations.
This innovative technology allows police to quickly respond to incidents and assess a situation before patrol units arrive, enabling more informed decision-making and ensuring safer outcomes for officers and community members.
Public Privacy Policy: The drones are used only as a call response, not for proactive patrols. Redmond’s drone policy prohibits the department from using drones for general surveillance, harassing or discriminating against individuals or groups, or conducting personal business. The Redmond Police Department does not conduct or support federal surveillance of individual citizens under NSPM-7 or any similar directive. The DFR program operates strictly under local and state law, focused solely on responding to emergencies and enhancing community safety. Every deployment is governed by department policy, publicly reported, and never used for generalized or federal surveillance.
Transparency: All drone flight data and maps are logged. Video and photo evidence taken during any DFR mission is stored in the same manner and location as body-worn camera video and other investigative evidence.
