Eyes will be in the sky over the course of the next two weeks as Stoney Nakoda RCMP will be participating in a ‘pilot’ program to test Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), commonly known as drones, and how it can be used to respond to calls for service.
Stoney Nakoda was selected as one of three communities for the RPAS trials, scheduled for May and June of this year. The trials are being held in a mid-sized community, large municipality, and an Indigenous community.
RPAS will be deployed from the Stoney Tribal Administration Building (40 Morley Rd, Morley, AB) for various calls to service including crimes in progress, flight from police, suspicious persons, missing persons, assist EMS/Fire, or even to support natural disaster response.
The decision to further explore and expand RPAS usage was made following thorough research into the use of the technology by law enforcement in other jurisdictions. The decision is also based on recommendations to increase air support made by the Mass Casualty Commission following the Mass Casualty Event in Nova Scotia.
The Stoney Nakoda Tribal leadership, which includes Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Goodstoney bands made the following statement:
“The Stoney Nakoda Nation welcomes the RCMP Drone-Trial Project and looks forward to assisting them in providing an enhanced police service to First Nations while respecting the privacy and culture of our people. We hope this new technology will aid the RCMP in reducing the levels of drug trafficking, the crime and pain this brings to our Nation. We look forward to receiving further briefings from the RCMP on the results of the trial and how this new capability will aid in providing increased safety and security to our people.”
