The Bow Police Department will add a drone to its toolkit in an effort to improve public safety.

Police chief Ken Miller said the drone will allow the department to significantly cut down response times in critical situations, including searching for missing persons, dealing with armed and barricaded suspects and responding to severe weather events.

Currently, when the department needs drone support, it relies on neighboring agencies, including the Hopkinton Police Department, State Police and the Sheriff’s Department.

“We’ve had so many incidents in town where we've actually had to call outside people to come in and get it, and a lot of times there is an extended time delay,” Miller said at Tuesday’s select board meeting.

Select board members approved the $9,713 drone purchase. The funds for the aerial technology will come from surplus money from three vacant positions within the police department. 

Once in action, the drone could be used for thermal imaging during active shooter situations, gathering intelligence, assessing risks, tracking fleeing suspects, locating missing individuals and documenting crime scenes. Officer Joe Rheaume, a certified drone operator with the department, will handle drone operations.

“This technology allows us to be responsible and increase our efficiency while still maintaining transparency,” Miller said. 

To operate the drones, the department must adhere to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations and, in certain situations, obtain search warrants before deployment.

Sruthi Gopalakrishnan can be reached at sgopalakrishnan@cmonitor.com