The Spring Valley Police Department has officially launched its newly established UAS/Drone Unit, known as the Drone Response Team (DRT), significantly enhancing the department’s ability to respond to emergencies and protect the community.

The unit is currently staffed by 12 certified operators, including Patrol Officers, Detectives, and Sergeants, all trained to deploy drone technology in a wide range of critical situations. According to police, the Drone Response Team has already been utilized in several real-world scenarios, including missing persons searches, hazardous weather conditions such as snowstorms, and tracking fleeing suspects. Additional uses include traffic monitoring and responding to suspicious incidents.

On Thursday afternoon, the department held a formal showcase of the program at police headquarters, attended by members of the Village Board, where officials highlighted the capabilities and benefits of the new technology.

Officials say the program will greatly improve situational awareness and response times, ultimately helping to keep residents safer.

The department also expressed appreciation to Sergeant Ward for leading the initiative through extensive research and securing grant funding, as well as to Police Officer Dudzinski for his dedication and hard work in ensuring the successful launch of the program.