Pullman Police to Get Drone Funding

Pullman Police Department Receives Gesa Local Heroes Grant

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 15, 2026 Chief of Police Aaron Breshears Pullman Police Department (509) 334-0802

Pullman Police Department Receives Gesa Local Heroes Grant

PULLMAN, WA — The Pullman Police Department is proud to have been awarded $8,750 through Gesa Credit Union’s Local Heroes Grant Program, by the Gesa Community Foundation. With this funding, the Pullman Police Department plans to purchase a new thermal multi-sensor drone to enhance public safety, support emergency response efforts, and provide officers with an additional tool to assist with search and rescue operations, crime scene documentation, and other calls for service throughout the Pullman community. This equipment will provide the agency with upgraded technology, which is essential to continued success in using drones to protect officers and the public from unnecessary risk during critical incidents.

Because the department participates in a regional SWAT team, the new drone will also strengthen mutual-aid response and support coordinated operations across multiple communities. Expanding the number of trained drone operators, to include approximately one-third of Pullman PD’s sworn officers and civilian staff, will further increase the agency’s readiness to respond when assistance is needed.

“Firefighters, healthcare workers, educators, law enforcement and veterans serve our communities every day. Every time a member uses a Local Heroes debit card, a donation goes into the grant fund for that hero category, and organizations like Pullman Police Department put those dollars directly into programs their communities rely on,” said Amber Merrill, Community Relations Manager at Gesa Credit Union.

Gesa Community Foundation’s Local Heroes Grant Program is funded through the Gesa Credit Union Affinity Debit Card Program and supports organizations that serve firefighters, law enforcement, educators, healthcare professionals and veterans across the Pacific Northwest. This year alone, they have awarded over $600,000 to 49 organizations. Since 2021, the program has provided over 2.6 million dollars to more than 253 recipients across Gesa’s field of membership.

“Investing in this technology allows us to be more proactive in addressing challenges and finding solutions to better serve our community. This drone will help officers assess situations, improve their ability to respond to calls, and make informed decisions that support the safety of our residents,” said Pullman Police Chief Aaron Breshears.

The Pullman Police Department expects to receive these grant funds by the end of November and intends to purchase the new drone by the end of the year. For more information about the Pullman Police Department and the work this grant supports, visit https://www.pullman-wa.gov/police

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About Pullman Police Department — The Pullman Police Department is a full-service law enforcement agency serving the City of Pullman. The Pullman Police Department embraces the Community Policing model of active community engagement and cooperation. The mission of the Pullman Police Department is to provide professional police services that prioritize public safety, quality of life, and the rights of all.

About Gesa Credit Union — Gesa Credit Union is one of Washington’s largest credit unions, with $6.8 billion in assets, and is more than 322,000 members strong. Gesa is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) and is a full-service financial institution that offers a complete array of consumer, mortgage and business products and services. Headquartered in Richland, Washington, Gesa operates 46 branches, loan centers, full-service student-operated campus branches at Washington State University, and 25 student-operated high school branches across Washington state. The Gesa Community Foundation, established in 2022, further supports Gesa’s ongoing commitment to local communities and charitable gi
Source: https://www.pullman-wa.gov/news_detail_T18_R402.php