REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Informational Report to Council on the Implementation of an Unmanned Aircraft System Program
Report
BACKGROUND
Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) are portable systems flown remotely without a pilot onboard and are controlled from an operator(s) on the ground. UAS have shown to be a valuable resource to police and fire organizations by providing an aerial view of a crime and/or disaster scene that may not otherwise be seen, locate survivors or send information about their whereabouts to responders on the ground, expedite incident solutions and provide safety to all parties involved in the incident. This technology, commonly referred to as a "drone," has been successfully utilized by various police and fire organizations to enhance emergency services in their respective communities.
UAS programs have been successfully implemented throughout the nation. According to the Department of Homeland Security, 599 law enforcement agencies across the United States including 60 organizations in California, have implemented UAS programs. Locally, the cities of Campbell, San Jos? and Sunnyvale have UAS programs.
DISCUSSION
The Police Department has drafted a policy through collaboration with other law enforcement agencies throughout California who have previously implemented UAS programs. The Police Department policy incorporates best practices related to recommendations from research conducted by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), the California Police Chiefs Association (CPCA) and the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and takes into consideration public interest groups and constituents' concerns regarding the use of this technology.
The proposed policy authorizes use by a UAS Pilot in accordance with policy, constitutional rights, and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations for:
* Disaster response and damage assessment (e.g. earthquake, flood)
* Locating missing persons and rescue events
* Iden...
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