Draganfly Inc. (DPRO) just got a big vote of confidence from the folks who help keep college campuses safe. The company announced Thursday that the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA) has picked it to supply drone systems, training, and support for a new nationwide program aimed at helping colleges and universities set up their own drone operations.
The program, called the IACLEA Campus Drone Implementation & Readiness Program, is designed to give campus public safety departments a clear path to deploying drones in a way that complies with federal rules while improving emergency response, situational awareness, and security. Think active shooter situations, severe weather, or even unauthorized drones buzzing around campus — the idea is to have a ready-to-go tool that can help in real time.
This also fits neatly into a broader push from U.S. policymakers to encourage the use of domestically made drones and strengthen the American drone industry. So it's not just about campus safety; it's also about supporting homegrown tech.
What the Program Includes
Under the deal, Draganfly will provide a whole package: policy guidance, training, equipment recommendations, and ongoing operational support. The framework includes FAA-aligned governance policies, privacy guidelines, Part 107 training, advanced campus-specific instruction, and help with fleet deployment. Basically, it's a turnkey solution for schools that want to get into drones but don't want to reinvent the wheel.
Leadership Weighs In
Draganfly CEO Cameron Chell said the program will help colleges develop drone capabilities to respond to threats like active shooters, severe weather, and unauthorized drone activity, all while meeting evolving federal requirements for trusted U.S.-made drone platforms. IACLEA Executive Director Paul Cell noted that the association picked Draganfly after a competitive evaluation process, citing the company's experience with public safety agencies. He said the program will give member institutions a standardized, association-backed framework for implementing drone technology responsibly.
What's Next
Draganfly said additional details, including course offerings and enrollment information, will be made available through a dedicated program website. For now, the market seems to like the news: Draganfly shares were up 6.67% at $5.44 during premarket trading on Thursday.
Photo via Shutterstock
