Using New Technology to Support Public Safety

Drone as First Responder (DFR) Pilot

Peel Regional Police is testing Drone as First Responder (DFR) technology to see whether drones can provide officers with helpful information before they arrive at certain calls for service.

The goal is to improve situational awareness, support informed decision-making, and enhance public and officer safety.

The pilot builds on Peel Regional Police's existing drone program and explores a new capability that allows drones to be deployed remotely from a designated location.

How DFR Works

When an eligible call is received, a trained operator may remotely deploy a drone.

In some situations, the drone may arrive before officers and provide live video from the scene. This can help officers:

Understand what is happening
Identify potential safety concerns
Determine what resources may be needed
Prepare for their response
Gather evidence, where appropriate

DFR is intended to provide officers with more information, earlier in an incident, so they can make informed decisions before arriving on scene. While the drone flies autonomously, a trained operator remains in control and monitors the flight.

Privacy and Accountability

Protecting privacy is an important part of the DFR pilot.

The program is governed by applicable laws, regulations, and police policies. Safeguards are in place to help ensure the technology is used responsibly and appropriately.

Safeguards include:

Restricted access to recordings
Specialized operator training
Clear policies and procedures
Ongoing oversight and evaluation

Peel Regional Police will continue to assess privacy considerations throughout the pilot and share information about the program with the community.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is DFR?

Drone as First Responder allows a drone to be deployed to certain calls for service and provide officers with information before they arrive.

How does DFR work?

A trained operator launches a drone from a designated location. The drone provides live information that can be shared with responding officers.

Will every call receive a drone response?

Only certain incidents may be eligible. Not every call for service will involve a drone.

Will drones record video?

Drones may capture video or images when responding to an incident. Any information collected is managed in accordance with applicable laws and police policies.

Who can access recordings?

Only authorized personnel can access recorded information for approved operational, investigative, training, audit, or oversight purposes.

Is this a surveillance program?

DFR drones respond only to specific public safety incidents. They are not used for random patrols or routine monitoring of people or neighbourhoods.

How is privacy protected?

Privacy safeguards include training, policies and procedures, restricted access to information, regulatory compliance, and oversight measures.

How is DFR different from the current drone program?

Peel Regional Police already uses drones to support investigations and public safety incidents. The DFR pilot tests whether drones can be deployed remotely and provide information earlier in an incident.

What happens after the pilot ends?

The results of the pilot, including operational impacts, community feedback, and privacy considerations, will be reviewed to help inform future decisions about the technology.

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