VicPD Joins the Drone Age in Victoria

Victoria just got a little more futuristic. The Victoria Police Department (VicPD) has officially launched its own Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) program — in plain English, they’ve got a drone.

And honestly? We’re here for it.

Why a Police Drone?

Drones aren’t just for YouTubers chasing sunset shots or real estate agents showing off the latest listing. They’re a serious tool for:

• Event safety — large crowds, parades, festivals.

• Emergency response — fires, crashes, missing persons.

• Situational awareness — a bird’s-eye view officers can’t always get from the street.

New VicPD Drone

It’s fast, flexible, and a whole lot cheaper than running a helicopter over downtown.

The Local Angle

What makes this interesting for Victoria is scale. We’re not Toronto, Vancouver, or New York — we’re a compact city with busy summer events, a vibrant downtown, and a unique geography (Inner Harbour, narrow streets, nearby hills). A drone is actually a perfect fit here.

Picture VicPD flying their RPAS over:

• A packed Canada Day crowd on Belleville.

• A missing hiker search near Thetis or Mt. Doug.

• A traffic snarl on Douglas Street.

That’s not Big Brother — that’s a smarter, safer way to keep people moving and keep resources where they’re needed.

A Sign of the Times

The bigger story? Drones are going mainstream.

• Police services across Canada are adding them.

• Fire departments use them for hotspots.

• Conservation officers use them for wildlife monitoring.

And now VicPD has joined the list. If you still think drones are toys, you’re officially behind the times.

Our Take

At Vancouver Island Drones, we obviously believe in the power of a good aerial view. Whether it’s a construction progress shoot, a coastal sunrise, or yes — even a VicPD safety patrol — drones give perspective you can’t get anywhere else.

VicPD’s drone is proof that this technology isn’t niche anymore. It’s here, it’s practical, and it’s becoming part of how Victoria runs day-to-day.

Not quite Robocop, but definitely a step toward a safer, smarter city.