(KRON) – The Concord Police Department is expanding its drone program. The ministry announced on Wednesday that it will use drone technology as part of the first response programme.
Concord PD has been using drones since 2021 to “enhance community safety, assist officers in the field and provide real-time support during critical incidents,” the department said. “Now, we are taking the next step forward in public safety with our Drone as First Responder (DFR) program – a groundbreaking initiative that helps officers respond faster, smarter and safer.”
The expansion will see the department gain the ability to deploy drones from strategically placed launch sites throughout the city, allowing trained pilots to deploy drones within seconds of 911 calls. The drones will have the ability to stream live aerial video, “giving officers the information they need to make quick, informed decisions.”
Police say this will lead to faster response times and safer outcomes for the community. Concord PD drone flights will operate under FAA regulations and department policies “to ensure transparency, accountability, and protection of privacy.”
Concord PD said it will begin implementing the DFR program in the coming weeks with full deployment in the “near future.”