Police are trialling a remote drone program they say could help reduce crime in the regions.

The six-month pilot in Moree involves drones launched from the top of a building and controlled by operators in Sydney.

NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley said the trial could expand to other areas.

"It will be watched by all law enforcement offices, certainty across Australia, but probably more broadly in the region as well in the Asia-Pacific," she said during a press conference outside Moree Police Station on Thursday 19 February.

"They launch from the roof here in response to an emergency call, and they are able to feed back that live information.

"I think this is something that we as a government will be looking at to roll out much further, and in particular looking in regional NSW."

Drone installation on top of Moree Police Station. IMAGE: NSW Police

So far, the drones have been used to help find a stolen vehicle and a crime suspect, and have spotted fires in the town.

A police media release also said a drone assisted during other callouts in December, January and February, although it doesn't always detail how.

Minister Catley said police and community members have given positive feedback, although critics have raised concern about surveillance.

"Not only does the use of police drones to live stream from over Moree township risk serious impacts on individuals' right to peaceful enjoyment of private property, it risks further entrenching mistrust of police and changing the way everyday people use public space," the Aboriginal Legal Service's Nadine Miles said.

Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said the drones don't hover over Moree unless they're responding to reported crime.

"This is not about surveillance," he said.

"The way that we will use these is exactly the same way that we use manned aircraft."