The Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS) is launching its first-ever drone as First Responder (DFR) pilot project, bringing aviation technology into front-line emergency response.
The DFR system deploys remotely piloted drones to certain emergency calls, often arriving on scene within some 60 seconds to provide first responders with immediate, real-time situational awareness. It is one of the first DFR pilot projects in Canada, said a police statement.
It said this rapid-response capability allows officers to assess risks earlier, plan safer approaches, and coordinate more effectively before arriving on scene. The pilot will be supported by drone dock sites strategically positioned through-out the region to provide continuous overlapping coverage. Several launch locations are already fully prepared, with additional sites nearing to come.
With the release of this pilot, Chief Peter Moreira emphasized DRPS’s commitment to responsible innovation, stating that the initiative “allows us to respond faster, see more, and make better‑informed decisions—while maintaining strong privacy protections and public transparency.”
All DFR operations comply with Transport Canada authorizations, the approved Privacy Impact Assessment, and all provincial and federal privacy legislation. The system:
- Is not used for general surveillance
- Does not use facial recognition or automated identification technology
- Only launches for specific emergency or operational incidents, similar to dispatching a patrol unit or helicopter
The DFR system is expected to support:
- Unknown‑risk or high‑risk calls
- Missing persons investigations
- Large, complex, or evolving scenes
- Natural disasters or sudden emergencies
- Any situation where rapid aerial intelligence improves safety
By providing real-time overhead views, the pilot strengthens responder preparedness and may reduce risk for both officers and the public.
Public transparency is a core element of the project. DRPS will release public-facing materials—including previously collected video footage—to help the community understand how the system works and how privacy is protected. Presentation-style information sessions will also support community engagement.
Throughout the pilot period, DRPS will collect data on response times, operational efficiency, safety considerations, call types, and overall effectiveness. Findings will guide future decision‑making and inform upcoming funding applications
To support community awareness and transparency, DRPS will host a Drone as First Responder Community Information Night where residents are invited to learn more about the pilot project at Audley Recreation Centre in Ajax. The meeting will take place on Thursday Feb 26 from 6:30 – 8 pm
The topics below will be discussed during the meeting:
• Live drone demonstrations
• An opportunity to meet the drone pilots
• Information about how the DFR system operates
• Details on privacy protections and oversight
• A look at what the pilot means for community safety
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