Institutes A One-Year Pilot Program For The LAPD

The Los Angeles Board of Police Commissioners has approved a one-year pilot program setting guidelines for the use of sUAS by the Los Angeles Police Department.

The Los Angeles Chief of Police recently sent a letter to the city's Board of Police Commissioners urging the adoption of a one-year pilot program for the utilization of a small Unmanned Aerial System (sUAS), during limited tactical situations, response to natural disasters, or search and rescue operations.

The proposal outlined the pilot program would follow local, state and federal laws regulating the use of such devices, as well as adhering to constitutional provisions related to privacy and freedom of speech. Furthermore, a program manager would be assigned from Air Support Division (ASD) to manage the pilot program and utilization of the device. The operation of the device would be limited to specifically trained personnel from the Special Weapons and Tactics team.

The plan was first presented to the board on August 8th of this year. Following that presentation, the LAPD  sought input from the public, holding community meetings and inviting comments via written and electronic correspondence. On October 3, 2017, the Department again appeared before the Board to report on the outcome of the community meetings and public input, and to ask for acceptance of the sUAS Deployment Guidelines.

The guidelines presented to the Board incorporated safeguards to address community concerns, and were designed to ensure that the Department does not overstep constitutional provisions that protect privacy or change the scope of the deployment criteria, to include a prohibition on the weaponization of the devices, with stringent provisions that each deployment be approved by a staff officer at the rank of deputy chief or higher, with notification to the Assistant Chief in the chain of command, as well as the Chief of Police. The Board directed the Department to post the guidelines on the Department website, LAPDONLINE.ORG to facilitate discussion and access.

The Los Angeles Times reports that the board voted 3-1 on Tuesday approving the program, which drew jeers from many in the audience opposed to their use. The LAPD said that the use of the two drones it intends to purchase will be strictly regulated, and that facial-recognition technology and weapons will be prohibited.

The police union president said that the drones will be a "tool that will protect both police officers and residents."

The department said it would roll out its drones in about 30 days.

(Image from file)

FMI: Memo and Proposal