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In 2018, the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) initiated its drone program, officially known as remotely piloted aerial systems (RPAS). Over the past year, their fleet of 20 drones has been deployed for a total of 1,826 missions, showcasing the role of modern technology in law enforcement.
A significant incident highlighting the capabilities of the drone program occurred when one of the drones was instrumental in apprehending murder suspect Brendan Colin McBride. McBride is accused of murdering a man in downtown Vancouver in September 2024 and severely injuring another individual. The drone was able to reach Habitat Island ahead of officers, facilitating crucial situational monitoring during the apprehension.
According to drone pilot Sgt. Dan Cameron, the technology allowed for a “silent but live feed” of the island, enabling those outside the area to maintain visual awareness of the evolving situation during the arrest.
For every drone mission, a pilot and a spotter are required, with video footage streamed back to an operational command center for real-time assessment and decision-making.
While about five percent of the recorded footage is archived, access to this material is strictly regulated, only preserved if linked to criminal activity. Up to this point, none of the footage has been presented in court proceedings.
VPD Superintendent Don Chapman emphasized the accuracy of the videos recorded during missions, stating that they “generally paint a very accurate picture of what has transpired.” However, he noted that this information does not always lead to court appearances.
In addition to criminal scenarios, the drones have served multiple purposes, including locating a missing person near the University of British Columbia and monitoring large gatherings such as protests. The VPD asserts that drones enhance situational awareness and assist in informed resource deployment.
Despite the technological advantages, the drone program has faced criticism regarding privacy implications. Meghan McDermott, director of the B.C. Civil Liberties Association, expressed concerns that despite official policies prohibiting general surveillance, some members of the community feel they are being monitored. The VPD has stated that it upholds strict privacy policies and claims there have been no privacy violations, with Chapman emphasizing their focus is not intrusive: “We are not interested in looking in people’s windows or anything like that,” he assured, highlighting the department’s operational demands, which include responding to approximately 700 calls for service daily.
Source
globalnews.ca