Evansville, IN – The Evansville Police Department has officially launched its Drone as First Responder program, giving officers a new tool to assess emergencies before arriving at a scene.
The program launched Aug. 24, 2026, and is designed to allow trained drone pilots to deploy a drone within seconds of a 911 call. The department said the technology can provide an aerial view of a scene in as little as 70 seconds.
The drones will allow officers to gather information, assess potential dangers, coordinate resources and determine how best to approach an incident before arriving.
Evansville Police worked with Motorola Solutions to deploy the program. It includes a BRINC Responder drone and a weatherproof docking station located at the Civic Center Complex.
The department’s new drone fleet also includes a BRINC LEMUR 2 designed for indoor use. The drone can enter buildings, navigate confined spaces and help officers assess potentially dangerous environments without immediately sending personnel inside.
Both drone models are equipped with zoom and thermal imaging cameras. According to the department, the technology can assist officers in locating missing people and identifying hazards during both daytime and nighttime operations.
The Evansville Police Department said the new program is intended to improve response times while increasing safety for officers, first responders and the community.
