Medicine Hat police say drone pilot shows potential to improve response times

Press Conference and demonstration of three-day drone pilot project.

Police say the goal is to provide officers with real-time situational awareness before they arrive at a call, potentially allowing them to make safer and more informed decisions.

During the pilot, MHPS conducted one day of training flights followed by two days of operational flights.

Police say there were 19 operational flights, with the drone arriving before officers 64 per cent of the time.

In 12 of the 19 flights, police say the drone provided helpful intelligence to responding officers.

In one incident, police say the drone provided real-time information about an individual who was believed to be carrying a bladed weapon.

The individual left before officers arrived, and the drone followed the person and directed officers to their last known location.

In another incident involving a possible firearm, police say the drone was in the air and arrived at the scene within 38 seconds.

Police say the pilot demonstrated potential benefits for officer and public safety.

“Definitely the ability to be agile and mobile allows our officers to arrive safely as well as provide public safety at a faster response time,” Deputy Chief Raj Saini said at a news conference on Friday.

Police also say remotely operated drones could potentially assist in situations involving missing people, including children, and provide officers with information about potentially dangerous situations before they arrive.

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A Skydio drone used during the pilot project by the Medicine Hat Police Service. (Image Credit: Jesse Gill/CHAT News)

The service says it is one of the first police agencies in Alberta to bring a remotely operated drone response program to the forefront.

MHPS says there were no operational challenges during the pilot, with qualified drone operators responsible for operating the technology.

Any decision about expanding the program will be based on evidence gathered during the pilot, as well as legal requirements, privacy considerations and public value.

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A Skydio drone used during the pilot project by the Medicine Hat Police Service. (Image Credit: Jesse Gill/CHAT News)

The drones have a 30-minute battery life and are designed to operate in adverse conditions.

by Jesse Gill

Medicine Hat police say drone pilot shows potential to improve response times

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