The Redmond Police Department is now the first agency in Washington state to receive Federal Aviation Administration approval to operate drones without a visual observer, as it is set to use the unmanned aerial vehicle for full-time policing next year.

In April, the Redmond Police Department implemented a “Drones as First Responders” program that assists officers during 911 calls.

The Drones as First Responders unit is composed of officers as pilots who are licensed through the FAA.

The FAA approval Monday is the result of over a year of testing and research with the Redmond Police Department and drones as First Responders providers.

With the new permit, the Redmond Police Department’s Drones as First Responders program will now operate beyond the pilot’s direct line of sight without the need for a visual observer.

“As a premier law enforcement agency, this approval exemplifies our commitment to utilizing advanced and innovative technology to protect our community,” Redmond Police Chief Darrell Lowe said in a statement. “This is a monumental step toward improving response times and improving public safety, efficiency and potential applications.”

The Redmond City Council is expected to vote on approving one master service and purchase agreement with Seattle-based BRINC Drones. That vote is set for December 3.

If the agreement is approved, the Drones as First Responders program will cost the city about $100,000 in the first year.

Each year thereafter, the drone program will cost $225,000, according to a quote for the Redmond Police Department from BRINC Drones.

Last month, the Redmond City Council was introduced data about the effects on police work from the pilot program Drones as First Responders. According to the most recent data, the drone program responded to 380 calls, assisted in 20 arrests and located 40 people from April 1 to September 30.

The drones can arrive faster than officers, and once overhead, the drone pilot can assess the situation and cancel the ground response if necessary, freeing up emergency vehicles for other priority calls.

From April to September, 13% of police responses were aborted thanks to the pilot program.

Notably, the drones can only be used for call response and not for proactive patrols.

The city’s drone policy prohibits police from using drones for public surveillance.