Milwaukee, WI – Residents in parts of Milwaukee may soon see police drones overhead as the Milwaukee Police Department officially launches its Drone as First Responder (DFR) pilot program Wednesday, aiming to improve officer response and public safety during active 911 calls.
According to the Milwaukee Police Department, the DFR program uses pre-positioned drones that can be launched within moments of a call for service—often arriving at a scene before patrol officers. The drones provide live aerial video to officers, helping assess situations, identify potential threats, and improve situational awareness before officers arrive on the ground.
Police officials say the drones are operated by trained personnel inside the department’s Remote Pilot in Command (RPIC) center, which is housed within the DFR command center. RPIC operators monitor incoming calls, deploy drones when appropriate, and relay real-time information to responding officers.
Currently, DFR drone docks are located in Milwaukee Police District Seven, allowing coverage in Districts Three, Five, and Seven, according to MPD. Officials say the goal is to expand the program over time if the pilot proves successful.
MPD emphasizes that the program is designed to enhance safety for both officers and community members by providing clearer information during fast-moving incidents, including disturbances, suspicious activity, and large-scale emergencies.
The department has also made public examples of drone deployments through an online dashboard, showing how the technology has already been used to support police responses and improve outcomes.
Police officials say the program aligns with MPD’s broader commitment to building safer neighborhoods while maintaining transparency and accountability as new technologies are introduced.
Residents can view demonstrations of the drone system and learn more about how the program operates through MPD’s official website and public video releases.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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