Kingston Police Utilize DJI Matrice Fleet for Successful Resident Rescue
Kingston Police Utilize Drone Technology for Rescue Operation
A traffic safety drone played a crucial role in helping Kingston Police locate and rescue an individual in distress on April 12, 2026. Despite having limited information, officers were able to locate the person’s vehicle within an hour of deploying the drone, leading to a swift rescue and subsequent hospital transport, as reported by The Whig.
Incident Overview
The Kingston Police Service received a report regarding an individual in distress near the intersection of John Counter Boulevard and Division Street in Kingston, Ontario. Due to the lack of specific details, officers worked to identify the make and model of the vehicle associated with the individual needing assistance.
Drone Deployment
Traffic Safety drone operators were dispatched to assist the patrol officers already searching the area. The drone’s aerial perspective enabled operators to cover a large area quickly, and within an hour, they identified the vehicle linked to the individual.
Patrol officers responded promptly and found the person inside the vehicle, who was then transported to Kingston General Hospital for medical care. The police department has not disclosed any information regarding the individual’s condition.
Drone Technology in Action
The Kingston Police operate two DJI enterprise drones: the Matrice 300 RTK and the Matrice 30, both designed for various operational tasks.
Matrice 300 RTK
The Matrice 300 RTK is a robust drone weighing approximately 13.9 pounds, capable of carrying up to 6 pounds of payload. It features six-directional obstacle sensing and is rated IP45 for weather resistance, allowing it to operate in light rain and dusty conditions. The drone has a transmission range of up to 9.3 miles and can reach altitudes of 22,966 feet with the appropriate configuration.
Matrice 30
The Matrice 30 is a more compact option, weighing 8.2 pounds and offering up to 41 minutes of flight time. It includes an integrated payload with multiple sensors, including a 48-megapixel zoom camera and a thermal camera, making it suitable for rapid deployment in various situations.
Expanding Drone Operations
Kingston Police have been utilizing drones operationally since at least 2021, with five active use cases including collision reconstruction, search and rescue, crime scene investigations, critical incidents, and large-scale events. Both the Traffic Safety Unit and the Emergency Response Unit have trained and licensed drone pilots on staff.
The recent rescue is part of a series of successful drone-assisted operations by the department. Previous incidents include locating a missing person using thermal imaging and tracking a suspect operating a stolen vehicle.
Conclusion
The integration of drone technology into Kingston Police operations exemplifies the evolving role of drones in law enforcement. This incident highlights the efficiency and effectiveness of drone deployment in emergency situations, showcasing how technology can significantly reduce response times and enhance public safety.