Drones in First Response: A New Era of Public Safety for VicPD

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
 
October 29, 2026 

Victoria, BC – The Victoria Police Department's (VicPD) Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS), or drone program, has evolved into a new era for public safety, expanding to frontline patrol operations. 

The RPAS helps officers by providing tactical situational awareness to minimize risks to the public and police. These scenarios include missing person investigations, high-risk weapon calls or arrests, and emergency management for damage assessment (such as earthquakes or tsunami). 

"The program's expansion in 2026 is about providing safer, quicker, and more efficient public responses," said VicPD Inspector Conor King. "Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems have been a valuable tool for public safety and risk management." 

VicPD's Operational Planning Section identified the added opportunities for RPAS since launching the program to monitor large-scale public events in Spring 2025. A second phase of the department's program was initiated through a pilot project in early 2026 with the goal of supporting more investigations and improving public safety practice and police responses using the technology. The second phase of the program has been adopted, after confirming its effectiveness.  

Since the 2026 expansion, RPAS has flown in more than 140 instances, which include the discovery of an injured person on the coastline within minutes. 

VicPD has worked closely with Transport Canada and NAV Canada to broaden the use of the RPAS for patrol responses. The department also worked proactively with the independent Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for B.C. 

RPAS cameras do not record by default. VicPD will continue notifying the public of its use for pre-planned events where recording may take place. When RPAS is used for gathering evidence or capturing an event/incident, protocols are in place to safeguard the information from unauthorized access and to preserve its integrity and confidentiality. 

VicPD officers have been diligent in this strategic expansion and remain committed to meeting regulatory compliance, privacy standards, and risk management expectations. 

RPAS technology is rapidly developing and largely in use with other police agencies across the province and throughout Canada.