EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY
Dec. 4, 2024
CONTACT
Jill Green, Redmond Police Department Public Information Officer
jgreen@redmond.gov
425-556-2627
Redmond Police Department Expands Drone Program with BRINC and Skydio for Enhanced Public Safety
REDMOND, WA - The Redmond Police Department announced the selection of BRINC and Skydio drone providers for its Drones as First Responders (DFR) program.
These partnerships integrate advanced technology from industry leaders, which, combined with the department’s recent FAA approval for Beyond Visual Line of Sight operations, further establishes RPD as a leader in leveraging drone technology for public safety.
“Our top priority is ensuring the safety and well-being of the Redmond community, and these partnerships represent a transformative step forward in how we respond to emergencies,” said Redmond Police Chief Darrell Lowe.
Two new docking stations from BRINC and three from Skydio will be added throughout the city. The additional docking stations will further improve emergency response times and enhance public safety through near-continuous flight capabilities.
“We’re honored to partner with Redmond PD, a forward-thinking agency dedicated to innovation in policing,” said Blake Resnick, Founder and CEO of BRINC. “This collaboration represents an exciting step in enhancing public safety both in Redmond and throughout the country by setting a new standard in DFR.”
The new state-of-the-art docking systems will allow minimal downtime due to continuous battery charging, ensuring drones are capable of back-to-back deployments.
“The Redmond Police Department is a trailblazer in employing novel technology to support community service and protection. Their commitment aligns perfectly with Skydio’s vision to leverage autonomous drones to make public safety safer for everyone,” said Callan Carpenter, Chief Revenue Officer at Skydio. “We look forward to joining RPD’s ecosystem of partners, alongside public safety leaders like Axon, to evolve and expand their drone program.”
The Redmond Police Department has been using drones for patrols since 2019. In April 2024, the department launched its DFR program with a drone flown remotely for dispatched calls.
DFR pilots arrive at calls within an average of three minutes anywhere in the city, enabling them to provide information safely and quickly about the incident and broadcast live-streamed video to any computer, tablet, or phone. Once overhead, the drone pilot can assess the situation and cancel the ground response if appropriate, freeing up emergency vehicles for other priority calls.
Drones are used to safely clear the interior of buildings, aid in suspect apprehension, document crime and crash scenes, and search for lost or missing persons. They are also used to help assess structural fires.
The drones are used only for call response, not for proactive patrols or general surveillance. When responding to a call, the drone’s camera is aimed at the horizon, not at people or buildings below, to protect community members' privacy.
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