Baldivis, Kwinana and Rockingham will be the first suburbs in WA where drones will be used to give police an extra set of eyes in the sky when responding to crimes and emergencies.
The new Drone as First Responder (DFR X) program will see remotely piloted drones launched from dedicated docking stations across the southern suburbs, providing officers with real-time intelligence before they arrive at a scene.
The drones will help them assess risks, make faster and better-informed decisions, and determine what resources are needed.
PIC: WA Police
The technology will support police at a range of incidents across the Mandurah Police District, including hooning, missing persons, land searches, family and domestic violence matters, welfare concerns, stolen motor vehicles, and crimes in progress.
"This is an Australian-first. No other Australian police force has advanced this far in the use of drones. In fact, it's advanced crime fighting on a global scale," Police Minister Reece Whitby said.
"My message to criminals and hoons is, you won't see us coming, you won't hear us coming, but we'll be there in the air watching your every move.
"This is about giving our police an invaluable tool - the ability to have eyes on the scene much sooner. It improves safety for our officers in blue on the front line."
PIC: WA Police
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