Calgary Police Service begins Drone as First Responder trial

We are launching a 90-day Drone as First Responder (DFR) trial to evaluate how remotely piloted drones can support emergency response and public safety.

The trial will assess the effectiveness of drones in improving situational awareness, supporting operational decision-making and enhancing public and officer safety.

Beginning Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026, two Skydio X10 drones will be deployed to select incidents in northeast and southeast Calgary. The drones will provide responding members with real-time aerial information to help them better understand unfolding incidents and determine the most appropriate response.

“The Drone as First Responder model has been successfully implemented by other police agencies and has shown potential to enhance emergency response,” says Supt. Jodi Gach of the Calgary Police Service Operational Support Division. “This trial will help us determine how the technology can support public safety in Calgary by providing responding officers with valuable information about an incident, often before they arrive on scene.”

The drones are deployed from a secure location in northeast Calgary. When an eligible call for service is identified, a sworn CPS member trained as a drone pilot can remotely deploy a drone to the scene. In some cases, the drone may arrive before responding officers, providing an early view of the incident that can help members identify risks, locate individuals and make informed operational decisions.

While we have used drones for several years to support public safety operations, including emergency incidents, searches and investigations, DFR introduces a new deployment model that allows drones to respond directly to select calls for service and provide information during the early stages of an incident.

The use of drones for the trial has been approved by Transport Canada. The trial will be conducted in accordance with Transport Canada regulations and CPS policies.

More information about the CPS use of drones and the DFR trial is available on the Calgary Police Service website.