ST. LOUIS — Police drones could begin responding to select 911 calls in St. Louis as early as Wednesday afternoon after the Board of Police Commissioners voted 4-1 to approve rules governing a new Aerial Response Unit.
The approval clears the way for the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department to phase in its Drone as First Responder program, designed to give officers information about emergencies before they arrive. Initial operations will include test flights and limited responses to qualifying calls.
Docking stations and drone coverage are established in the North and Central Patrol areas. Installation continues in South Patrol, where the department anticipates expanding operations later this month.
The pace of the rollout will depend on staffing, scheduling, operational coverage and ongoing testing, according to the department. Responses will expand as additional capabilities become available.
“We are embracing innovative technology that has the potential to transform how we respond to emergencies, provide our officers with critical information before they arrive on scene, and ultimately help save lives,” Police Chief Robert J. Tracy said.
The unit will use BRINC drones equipped with thermal imaging, high-powered cameras, emergency lighting and real-time communication capabilities. They are designed to respond to high-priority 911 calls and other qualifying incidents.
In some circumstances, drones may arrive before officers, allowing police personnel to assess conditions and identify potential threats before entering a scene, the department said.
The drones are not weaponized. The newly approved special orders establish guidelines for deployment, operations, accountability and appropriate use. The department said the unit will supplement traditional police response, not replace officers responding to emergencies.
“The Board’s approval establishes an important framework for responsible use of this technology while allowing the Department to move forward with an innovative approach to emergency response,” said Chris Saracino, president of the Board of Police Commissioners.
The St. Louis Police Foundation and its donors supported the initiative. The department’s Intelligence Division led research, planning and implementation efforts.
The department said it will provide additional updates on deployment, coverage and the expansion of drone response capabilities throughout the city.
