Vancouver police debut drones, license plate readers in tech upgrade

Vancouver police are embracing cutting-edge technology to bolster safety across the city. On Wednesday, the department unveiled its new tech arsenal, which includes the Skydio X10 drones, making Vancouver the first police force in Canada to utilize this advanced aerial surveillance.

“

For example, if an officer is in trouble, perhaps being assaulted, they can tap their camera three times, which will automatically deploy a Skydio drone to their exact location at the direction of the pilot in command.

These drones are designed to act as a "Drone as First Responder" system. In critical situations, such as an officer being assaulted, a drone can be deployed within moments to the officer's exact location. Pilots can also direct drones to crime scenes ahead of officers, transmitting live video feeds to the ground and the Operations Command Center. This capability aims to provide crucial intelligence, helping officers better understand unfolding events and pursue suspects more effectively.

“

Pilots can also fly the drones to a crime in progress, arrive first, and send their video feeds to responding officers on the ground as well as the Operations Command Center (OCC).

Beyond aerial surveillance, the police force is integrating other technologies. Officers' body-worn cameras will now feature real-time translation for over 50 languages, a significant upgrade for Vancouver's multicultural population. Additionally, 73 police cruisers will be equipped with automated license plate recognition cameras to quickly identify vehicles of interest. Holsters for service weapons and conducted energy weapons will also automatically trigger body-worn cameras, ensuring critical moments are captured immediately.

“

When you consider how multicultural Vancouver is, this translation ability is a game-changer.

"Combined, these technologies create a system that helps improve decision-making, response times, and overall public safety in Vancouver," stated Supt. Kevin Bernardin of the VPD's Innovation and Technology section. The department believes these advancements will significantly enhance their ability to serve and protect the city's residents.

“

Combined, these technologies create a system that helps improve decision-making, response times, and overall public safety in Vancouver.