The New Westminster Police Department (NWPD) is embracing drone technology for various police operations to enhance their efficiency and effectiveness. Under the NWPD Drone Program, officers who are Transport Canada certified will be the ones operating these devices.
Drones are proving to be valuable tools for law enforcement, aiding in tasks such as locating missing individuals, documenting crime scenes, capturing images of serious accidents, and inspecting unsafe structures. Several police units throughout the province have already integrated drones into their regular operations.
The NWPD emphasizes that having access to real-time aerial footage can be critical in urgent situations, where time is of the essence. Sgt. Andrew Leave highlighted the significance of this technology in providing officers with a prompt aerial perspective to assist them in time-sensitive scenarios.
Furthermore, the NWPD ensures that drone usage will be restricted to specific incidents and will adhere to provincial privacy regulations. All drone flights will be meticulously documented to maintain accountability and transparency.