Muhammad Amanullah
September 11, 2026
Calgary police have launched a three-month pilot project to test the use of drone technology during emergency situations, with the goal of providing officers with critical information before they arrive at a scene.
According to the Calgary Police Service (CPS), the pilot will examine whether remotely operated drones can improve emergency responses by reaching certain locations ahead of police officers and providing live aerial footage of what is happening on the ground.
Three-Month Pilot Project
Starting Thursday, two specialized drones will be deployed to selected emergency calls in Calgary’s northeast and southeast areas.
The drones will provide live aerial video of incidents, allowing police officers to assess the situation before arriving at the scene.
The pilot project will use two Skydio X10 drones. They will be launched from a secure location in northeast Calgary.
Officers to Receive Information Before Arrival
Calgary Police Service Superintendent Jody Gach said officers often arrive at incidents with limited information about what they are likely to encounter.
Emergency situations can also change rapidly, making it difficult for responding officers to understand the circumstances before they arrive.
Gach said drones could provide police with a live aerial view of an incident. In some situations, a drone could reach the location before officers and provide an initial assessment of what is happening.
Assessing Potential Risks
Live video from the drones will allow officers to assess the situation at an emergency scene, identify potential hazards and determine who may be involved.
Police say the additional information could help officers prepare more effectively before reaching the location.
The pilot will therefore assess whether advance aerial information can make emergency responses more effective while also improving officer and public safety.
Remotely Controlled Flights
During the pilot, trained police personnel will be able to operate the drones remotely from a secure location and send them toward emergency scenes.
The images and video captured by the drones will provide police with additional information for monitoring and assessing incidents.
Police say the project is not simply about testing drone flights. It will also examine how the technology could be incorporated effectively into routine policing operations.
Other Police Services Have Tested the Model
The Calgary Police Service said the use of drones as an initial response tool has already been adopted by other Canadian police organizations.
Earlier this year, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Red Deer introduced a drone-as-first-responder program.
Under that model, a drone can be sent to an incident before police officers, firefighters or medical emergency crews arrive, allowing responders to obtain an initial assessment of the situation.
Calgary Police Already Use Drones
The Calgary Police Service already has drone technology and uses it for several purposes.
According to police, drones have previously been used during search operations, investigations and emergency incidents.
However, the new three-month pilot is different because it specifically examines how useful a drone can be when sent to an emergency call ahead of responding police officers.
Federal Approval Obtained
Calgary police said approval for the pilot project has been obtained from Transport Canada.
All drone operations during the project will be conducted in accordance with federal regulations and applicable police policies.
Police say information gathered during the three-month trial will help determine the system’s actual benefits, identify challenges associated with its use and establish the operational and administrative requirements that would be needed for any future expansion.
Testing New Technology in Calgary
Superintendent Jody Gach said the main objective is to determine how a model that has already been tested elsewhere can be adapted to Calgary’s specific circumstances.
She said the results of the pilot will help police better understand the benefits, challenges and practical requirements associated with using drones in emergency response.
The findings from the three-month trial could play an important role in determining whether the Calgary Police Service expands the use of remotely operated drones for emergency calls in the future or keeps the technology within its current limited scope.
