The Evansville Police Department has launched its Drone as First Responder program.
This new technology enables officers to respond faster to emergencies and improve safety for both first responders and the community.
Evansville Police Chief Philip Smith emphasized that, “It is our hope that the DFR supports our officers in giving our citizens the service they deserve from a 21st Century Police Department. Cutting down on response times, observing incident scenes before officers arrive to gain pertinent intelligence, and safely bringing incidents to a peaceful solution are results we’re hoping to see with our DFR.”
The program allows the department to launch a drone within seconds of a 911 call and obtain eyes on a scene in as few as 70 seconds, drastically reducing response times. The drones will be operated by trained pilots, providing an aerial view to help officers gauge a situation, coordinate resources and approach scenes more safely.
The department worked with Motorola Solutions to deploy the program, which includes a BRINC Responder drone and weatherproof docking station that will be stationed at the Civic Center Complex. The new drone fleet also includes one BRINC LEMUR 2 drone designed for indoor use.
These drones can enter buildings, navigate confined spaces and help officers to safely assess potentially dangerous environments before entering. Both drone models feature zoom and thermal imaging cameras that can locate missing people and detect hazards at any time of day.
“Public safety is the first responsibility of city government, and that means making sure our police officers have the tools they need to do their jobs safely and effectively,” said Mayor Stephanie Terry. “As technology continues to evolve, we should be looking for practical ways to better support our first responders and strengthen the service we provide to our community. The decision to utilize Drone as First Responder reflects that commitment.”
This trial program, which is part of a one-year free trial, will begin in Summer 2026 and run through Summer 2027.
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