Redlands Police increasingly using drones in patrol responses
Department says aerial unit assisted in recent pursuit, mental health call and armed suspect investigation
Redlands Police are increasingly using drones during patrol responses, including in recent incidents involving a fleeing suspect, a mental health crisis and an investigation into armed suspects at an apartment complex.
The department’s Drone as First Responder program, known as “Mav-1,” was referenced in several recent police updates and social media posts describing how officers used aerial surveillance during calls for service.
In a May 13 social media post, police described an incident in which officers attempted to stop an e-bike rider for alleged traffic violations, including running stop signs and riding on the wrong side of the road. Police said the rider fled before officers deployed the drone, which tracked the suspect to a residence where officers later made an arrest.
The department also shared aerial footage from the May 13 e-bike pursuit showing the suspect traveling through residential alleys before entering a property where officers later made contact.
In the social media post, police described the drone as providing an “eye in the sky” during the pursuit.
The drone program was also used during a May 17 response involving a man experiencing a mental health crisis. According to police, family members intervened after the man attempted to harm himself, and the man later left the residence after allegedly attempting to harm a relative.
Police said the drone located the man shortly after officers arrived in the area, allowing officers to contact him and connect him with mental health evaluation and services.
Later that same day, officers used the drone during an investigation into an attempted armed confrontation at an apartment complex. Police said several suspects blocked a victim’s vehicle near a garage while two suspects displayed handguns and ordered the driver out of the car.
The victim drove away and contacted police. According to Redlands Police, the drone arrived before officers and observed several subjects gathered inside an open garage. Officers detained individuals at the scene, and the victim later identified a juvenile suspect during a field identification.
The juvenile was arrested and booked into Juvenile Hall. Police said the second suspect remained outstanding as of the department’s May 21 update.
Redlands Police launched the Drone as First Responder program earlier this year. The drones are used to provide aerial views of incidents before officers arrive on scene and during active investigations.
Police departments across California and the country have increasingly adopted drone programs in recent years for patrol operations, suspect searches, emergency response and scene monitoring.
