The Denver Police Department has revealed its plan to roll out a new program that will see drones respond to 911 calls, a move that is set to revolutionize law enforcement tactics.

The agency, which recently faced significant budget cuts in order to allocate funds for the handling of migrant issues, has earmarked a $100,000 grant from the Denver Police Foundation to kickstart the program. The department intends to purchase multiple drones with the allocated funds and have the program operational within the next six to 12 months.

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Phil Gonshak, the director of the department’s Strategic Initiatives Bureau, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “It’s beginning to lift off.” The department’s long-term vision is to have drones serve as first responders, stationed strategically across various districts to promptly handle critical needs or emergencies across the city.

This initiative follows the example of the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office, which has been successfully utilizing drones since 2017. Sergeant Jeremiah Gates from the sheriff’s office emphasized the potential for drones to significantly enhance law enforcement operations, citing their ability to conduct tasks such as tracking suspects, providing surveillance, and mapping crime scenes.

Amidst the excitement surrounding the introduction of drones in law enforcement, concerns have been raised. Laura Moraff, a staff attorney from the American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado, expressed apprehension about the implications of widespread drone usage, particularly regarding potential infringements on individuals’ rights and the risk of over-policing within communities, especially those of color.

Despite these concerns, other police departments in the region have also recognized the potential benefits of drone technology. The Loveland Police Department has successfully utilized drones in emergency situations, including delivering a defibrillator to a patient prior to the arrival of paramedics and authorities. Similarly, the Commerce Police Department is preparing to incorporate drones in their 911 response strategy.

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Robert White, the former chief of The Denver Police Department, clarified that the introduction of the drone program is not intended to replace traditional law enforcement responses but rather to facilitate more efficient allocation of resources.

While the use of drones in law enforcement remains a topic of debate, the Denver Police Department has already established a comprehensive policy outlining the implementation of the “Drones as a First Responder Program” and has trained several pilots to operate the drones.

As the department takes further steps to integrate this new technology into their emergency response procedures, it is clear that the deployment of drones in law enforcement is poised to deliver significant advancements in public safety strategies.

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This initiative comes in the wake of the Denver City Council’s decision to allocate significant funds towards addressing the ongoing migrant crisis, a move that sparked the budget cuts within various city departments, including the Denver Police Department. These developments underscore the ongoing efforts to adapt to evolving challenges while remaining committed to efficient and effective law enforcement practices.

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