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Waukesha council authorizes purchase of Lemur 2 drone for police, funded in part by alumni donation
Summary
The council unanimously authorized a contract with Brink for a Lemur 2 drone (three‑year, $48,000 contract) to be added to the police department’s deployable drone fleet; the Waukesha Citizens Police Academy alumni pledged $5,000 toward the first year.
The Waukesha Common Council unanimously authorized a contract with Brink to acquire a Lemur 2 drone for the Police Department on Nov. 19.
Lieutenant Scott Christiansen said the device, funded initially in part by a $5,000 donation from the Waukesha Citizens Police Academy alumni, augments the department’s van‑based deployable technology. He described the drone as approximately 18 by 12 inches, intended primarily for interior clearances; it can enable two‑way communication with people inside a structure and is equipped with a tool for breaking glass on vehicles or buildings. Christiansen said the three‑year contract is priced at about $48,000 with a 10% up‑front payment; after 12 months the city can assess operational value and negotiate retention or return.
Council members asked about storage, costs after year one and whether the device would be kept in the department’s existing drone van. Christiansen said the drone would join the current fleet and that future acquisition of additional units would depend on donations and department budget priorities. Alderman Piper moved approval; the motion passed without recorded opposition.
Next steps: staff will finalize contract execution and confirm storage and maintenance logistics within the Police Department’s deployable technology program.
