The Taylor Police Department is now one of the first in Michigan to launch a Drone First Responder Program, designed to help officers respond faster and safer to calls for service across the city.
Brinc Drones, under a five-year agreement, installed a new drone launch pad and charging station on the roof of the police department.
The new program will use two autonomous drones that can reach nearly any location in Taylor in under a minute. Once a service call is placed and an address is known, the drone takes off automatically from the launch pad and provides a real-time view of the scene before officers arrive.
The drones are meant to act as the first response to many calls — allowing officers to see what’s happening before they step into a situation. Police say this approach improves officer safety and helps make smarter, faster decisions when seconds matter.
Police Chief John Blair said the goal is to improve both officer and public safety by using smart technology. According to Blair, these drones will help with a wide range of incidents, including responding to shootings or homicides.
The department says this program is only used during service calls — not for random surveillance or traffic enforcement monitoring. Each flight is logged, tracked, and tied to a specific incident.
Along with these new responder drones, Taylor Police also use other types of drones with different functions. In the past, the department used drones to safely check buildings when suspects were believed to be inside. You can even communicate through the drone.
The funding for the program comes from the Federal government, and has to be used by the police department.
