St. Louis police approve drone first-responder program to assist 911 calls

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) - The St. Louis Board of Police Commissioners on Wednesday approved special orders laying out the groundwork for a new aerial response unit.

The board approved governing order 4-1, and SLMPD said the move clears the way for a gradual introduction of its drone first-responder program.

The department said it could conduct test flights and respond to select 911 calls as early as Wednesday afternoon.

“This is an exciting and historic step forward for public safety in St. Louis,” said Chief Robert J. Tracy. “We are embracing innovative technology that has the potential to transform how we respond to emergencies, provide our officers with critical information before they arrive on scene, and ultimately help save lives.”

The department said the drones will have thermal imaging, cameras, emergency lighting and real-time communication capabilities. While the department said drones are meant to supplement officers and not replace them, they can arrive and assess scenes before officers do.

“This is another example of what can be accomplished when we prioritize public safety and provide our officers with the resources they need to succeed,” said Board of Police Commissioners President Chris Saracino. “The Board’s approval establishes an important framework for responsible use of this technology while allowing the Department to move forward with an innovative approach to emergency response.”

The program will begin operating on a limited basis in the north and central parts of the city as police continue installation in the south, according to SLMPD. The rollout schedule will depend on staffing, scheduling, and testing.

“This is about giving our officers another tool to protect the people we serve while continuing to invest in a safer St. Louis,” Tracy said.