NYPD Expands Drone Program: Police Cars to Carry Emergency Response Drones

The New York Police Department is advancing its Drone as First Responder program into its third phase, announcing plans to equip police vehicles with drones for rapid emergency response. This expansion marks a significant evolution in how the NYPD deploys unmanned aerial vehicles for law enforcement and public safety operations, reports PIX11.

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New Deployment Strategy

NYPD Deputy Commissioner Kaz Daughtry revealed that police cars will soon carry drones in their trunks, allowing officers to launch them when needed.

“If people are reporting shots fired, reporting an assault in progress, yes, the drone will be arriving simultaneously with a police car,” Daughtry explained.

Current Operations and Future Vision

The department currently utilizes drones for:

• Responding to 911 calls
• Emergency situations
• Monitoring high-crime precincts

The NYPD’s vision for the future includes innovative applications such as:

• Delivering Narcan for overdose responses in Central Park
• Deploying AED devices for cardiac emergencies before EMS arrival
• Providing aerial tactical views during suspect pursuits

Technical Implementation

The program involves a sophisticated coordination system where “911 calls are not only being routed to the police dispatcher but that same call is being routed to the drone operators, First Responders inside of our Joint Operations Center,” according to Daughtry.

When pursuing suspects, officers can:

1. Access drones from their vehicle’s trunk
2. Activate the device
3. Coordinate with the Joint Operations Center
4. Receive support from autonomously launched drones from One Police Plaza

DroneXL’s Take

This expansion of the NYPD’s drone program represents a significant step forward in public safety drone operations. The integration of drones into standard police vehicles follows a growing trend of drone technology being used to enhance emergency response capabilities. The ability to deliver medical supplies and provide aerial support demonstrates how drones are becoming an essential tool in modern law enforcement and emergency services.

What do you think about the NYPD’s expanded drone program? Share your thoughts in the comments below about how this might impact emergency response times and public safety in New York City.

Photos courtesy of PIX11.