🚁 DRPS Launches Drone as First Responder Pilot Project The Durham Regional Police Service is proud to introduce our first ever Drone as First Responder (DFR) pilot project—bringing innovative aviation technology directly into front line emergency response. Remotely piloted drones will be able to respond to certain emergency calls in about 60 seconds, giving officers real time situational awareness before they arrive on scene. DRPS is among the first police services in Canada to explore this model. The DFR system: ✔️ Is not used for general surveillance ✔️ Does not use facial recognition ✔️ Launches only for specific emergency or operational incidents ✔️ Operates under Transport Canada authorizations and all privacy legislation The technology will support high risk calls, missing persons investigations, large or evolving incidents, natural disasters, and situations where rapid aerial information improves safety. ________________________________________ 📣 Community Information Night Residents are invited to learn more about the pilot project at our upcoming Drone as First Responder Community Information Night: 📍 Audley Recreation Centre, Ajax 📅 Thursday, February 26, 2026 ⏰ 6:30–8:00 p.m. Join us for: • Live drone demonstrations • Meet the pilot opportunities • Information on how the system works • Details on privacy protections and project oversight A public FAQ page is also being developed to support transparency. 🔗 For more information about the pilot, please visit drps.ca/DFR ________________________________________ DRPS will continue to evaluate the pilot throughout the year, gathering data on response times, safety impacts, operational effectiveness, and community feedback. Together, we're building a safer and more informed community.