KPD says drone-for-first-responder program, real-time center will include PARK oversight and public-facing dashboards

KPD representatives told the Police Advisory and Review Committee that community representatives — including PARK — will be part of the oversight process for the department's real-time information center and its drone-for-first-responder program.

KPD said both programs are not operational yet and that written policies are being created. Before the real-time information center goes live, KPD plans to host an open house for elected officials, including city council members, to demonstrate operations. The department said once the drone program transitions to the new fleet it expects every drone flight to be visible on a public-facing dashboard.

A KPD official explained the operational benefit of drone support: a drone can provide real-time situational awareness to officers on calls, help track fleeing suspects across yards and reduce risk to officers and bystanders. The department emphasized Tennessee law governs how drones may be used and that indiscriminate aerial surveillance is not permitted under state rules.

Committee members asked whether personal drone footage could be integrated into the public portal; KPD said it would not include private drone footage. KPD said it currently operates six hand-flown drones for search-and-rescue and special events and expects to phase in a new vendor platform (transcript spelling: "Scottio") for the drone-for-first-responder program.