8/23/23 - GR Police Department To Get Drones

GR Police Department says the new drones will help with safety, crime solving and prevention.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The Grand Rapids City Commissioners approved the purchase of drones for the Grand Rapids Police Department.

Nearly $100,000 will go toward the purchase and delivery of the drones.

They will be used as a tool for investigations, searching for fleeing suspects, special events, safety measures and other operations.

"Police 1" says drones have had a major impact in the areas of traffic crash reconstruction, reconnaissance before tactical deployments, SWAT overwatch, hostage situations, forensic investigations, patrol-deployed operations, searches for lost persons, tethered operations, traffic pattern evaluation and first response. 

The Police Department hopes to have them ordered and in use by September.   

Public Hearings were held before the final vote from commissioners.  Some voiced concerns and that the use of drones raised privacy issues and possible discrimination against some.  City leaders say that the drone unit used by police will be the most highly overseen drone unit in the state.

Police departments in Kentwood, Walker and Wyoming, as well as the Kent County Sheriff’s Office, are already using drones.