Drones and robbers. Redmond police take drones to the next level

If you call 911 in Redmond, don't be surprised if a drone shows up first instead of a police officer.

"This innovative technology allows police to quickly respond to incidents and assess a situation before patrol units arrive, enabling more informed decision-making and ensuring safer outcomes for officers and community members," a Redmond Police Department spokesperson told KUOW.

RELATED: Look, up in the sky! It's a drone ... painting over graffiti in Washington state

The use of drones is not new to police departments in Washington state. They've long been used to document car accidents by the Washington State Patrol, which has a drone fleet of more than 100. Spokane police have been using them for a few years. Redmond has been using them since 2019, but in April 2024 it created a unit dedicated to using drones alongside first responders. It was the first police department in Western Washington to have such a unit, utilizing officers with drone licenses.

What Redmond is doing now takes things to the next level — the drones can be the first responders. Previously, for police to use a drone, they had to be operated by a pilot and also have an observer watching it fly wherever it went. Now, the FAA has told Redmond that it doesn't need a human observer. This means, in response to a 911 call, Redmond police can dispatch a drone to be first at the scene, instead of a police officer in a patrol car. The drone launches from the roof of city hall, then a pilot can operate the drone anywhere it needs to be (within the usual rules: not above 250 feet, and not around airports or military sites).

This "enables the pilot to fly farther and eliminates the need to find another officer to assist," the spokesperson said.

Redmond police say the drones can arrive at a scene within three minutes, faster than patrol cars. The drone can then send video back to officers (on a computer, tablet, or phone), allowing them to assess the scene, send more officers, or call off the response if needed.

Redmond Police Chief Darrell Lowe calls it a "monumental step toward improving response times and enhancing public safety, efficiency, and potential applications.”

RELATED: How Washington plans to spy on seals, sea lions with drones

"Potential applications" include pursuing fugitives, de-escalation, reconnaissance, search and rescue, and documenting crime scenes.

"They are used to safely clear the interior of buildings, aid in suspect apprehension, document crime and crash scenes, and search for lost or missing persons," a spokesperson said. "Drones are also used to help assess structure fires. The drones have thermal imaging and cameras, which help officers locate missing persons or fleeing suspects in thickly wooded areas or assess potentially dangerous situations."

Redmond's police drones are not used for "proactive patrols," and officers are prohibited from using them for general surveillance, harassing or discriminating against people or groups, or conducting personal business.

RELATED: The goal of pizza delivery via drones in Seattle and Tacoma