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Sunnyvale Public Safety highlights drone use, crisis‑intervention training and less‑lethal tools
Summary
Command staff described the department’s drone program, plans to test “drone as first responder,” crisis intervention (CIT) training and acquisition of less‑lethal options to reduce serious use of force.
Chief Fano and other command staff described the department’s use of technology and training to improve safety and reduce force. The department maintains a drone program established in February 2018; officials said every drone use is logged and documented on the department’s public website.
Chief Fano said the department is evaluating a “drone as first responder” concept, which would deploy a drone to the scene of select calls before officers arrive to provide situational awareness and improve officer safety. Staff characterized the concept as in early analysis and said community support would be sought.
Command staff said de‑escalation and crisis‑intervention training are priorities. The department mentioned that Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training has historically been a 40‑hour course but that recent capacity and budget constraints have reduced the amount of in‑person training provided to officers.
Officers also described investments in less‑lethal weapons intended to reduce incidents requiring serious force. Dispatch performance metrics were cited as well: presenters said dispatchers answer incoming calls within about 15 seconds and that 94% of medical responses occur within 7 minutes, 59 seconds.
Ending: Presenters emphasized transparency — logging drone uses and publishing data — and invited residents to follow up for technical details about the proposed drone as first responder program and training schedules.
