* This story has been updated
Surrey Police work at the city's large Vaisakhi parade Saturday (April 19) included the inaugural launch of the department's Remote Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS), or drones.
The goal of the RPAS program is to "support investigations, assist members of the public, manage public order and emergency events," according to a report before Surrey Police Board on Thursday (April 17).
"RPAS use has become common practice in policing," the report notes. "Larger police organizations such as Calgary and Vancouver have developed programs with a fleet of RPAS that are unique to law enforcement."
Surrey Police (SPS) has four drones, two of which flew Saturday above streets of Newton during the annual Khalsa Day (Vaisakhi) parade.
This year, members of South Fraser Search and Rescue Society were there to help search for anyone reported lost or missing during the 550,000-strong gathering.
The SPS says its new drone system, which the department began researching in 2023, would help in such missing-persons incidents, among others.
"During the Vaisakhi event, RPAS were deployed to monitor crowd density and traffic flow," stated Surrey Police Sgt. Tige Pollock, media relations officer. "They were utilized to assist in searching for lost people, of which we had 21."
Two aircraft flew over the event with banners, he added. "The RPAS was utilized to identify the aircraft and ensured that they were operating within Transport Canada regulations," Pollock told the Now-Leader.
"During the event, the RPAS were able to detect an assault that occurred on the route. The operator was able to relay information to members on the ground."
RPAS flights are not conducted for surveillance purposes, says a post on the Surrey Police website, but may be used in "exigent circumstances where there is an imminent risk to life or safety that can be alleviated by using an RPAS and/or where there is judicial authorization."
The drone system "will also not be used to record and/or identify members of the public involved in peaceful protests or demonstrations, unless their activities are intermingled with protests by other persons whose activities are not peaceful, lawful and safe," the post adds.
Authority for police to use RPAS is governed by legislation including the Criminal Code, Aeronautics Act and Canadian Aviation Regulations.
"Police must legally justify the use of drones," the webpost notes. "Each use of an RPAS by SPS is reviewed and only conducted if legal authority and/or judicial authorization have been obtained."
Flight missions may be recorded, and "all recordings that are of evidentiary or training value are handled and stored in accordance with SPS’s Digital Evidence Management policy. Imagery and/or data that is of no evidentiary or training value is retained for 30 days and then deleted."
Surrey Police safety tips for the Vaisakhi parade:
• Save the day-of-the-event Missing Person Report Line Phone number (778-826-0727) in your phone.
• Take a family photo before you leave the house on the morning of the parade. This will help in locating them if needed.
• Familiarize your family members with their surroundings and have a pre-planned meeting place for the end of the event or in case you get separated.
• Make sure your family members have some form of identification and your contact information.
• Keep your children within eyesight at all times.
• If a family member goes missing, notify the nearest police officer or Search and Rescue volunteer.
• People should leave pets at home, as they may become easily startled and scared with all the people and loud noises.
Saturday, road closures will be in place from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Delays should be expected for travel between 72 Avenue to 88 Avenue, and Scott Road to King George Boulevard.
Maps, shuttle stops and more details are found on the parade website, surreyvaisakhiparade.com.
