Policy Text
CONCORD POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER
UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS
GENERAL ORDER: 06.04 CREATED: October 17, 2017 ISSUE DATE: October 1, 2022
CALEA STANDARD:
NCLEA STANDARD: EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2022
ACTION: Annual review of general order . REVIEW DATE: September 9, 2025
06.04.0 PURPOSE
The purpose of this general order is to establish policies and procedures for the
deployment and use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).
06.04.1 POLICY
It shall be the policy of the Concord Police Department that all uses of Unmanned Aircraft
Systems shall be in accordance with procedures outlined in the city Unmanned Aerial
Systems Policy Manual.
06.04.2 DEFINITIONS
A. FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION (FAA)
The national authority with powers to regulate all aspects of civil aviation.
B. UNMANNED AERIAL SYSTEM (UAS)
System that includes the necessary equipment and personnel to control an
unmanned aircraft.
C. UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE (UAV)
An aircraft that is intended to navigate in the air without an on -board pilot.
D. UNMANNED AIRCRAFT PILOT
A pilot or other person assigned and trained to fly or navigate a UAV.
06.04.3 UAS OPERATORS
A. All UAS operators must meet the minimum requirements set forth by the city
Unmanned Aerial Systems Policy Manual.
B. All Concord Police Department UAS operators must comply with all guidelines set
forth within the city Unmanned Aerial Systems Policy Manual.
C. Concord Police Department UAS operators may be requested by other city
departments for approved de ployments. The requesting department’s use must
comply with city policy and FAA regulations.
General Order 06.04 UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS Page 2 of 3
06.04.4 DEPLOYMENT
A. The UAS will not conduct random surveillance activities. The use of the UAS will be
tightly controlled and regulated.
UAS deployment shall be restricted to the following uses consistent with city policy:
1. Video/photographs for investigative support, (CPD/CFD);
2. Mapping;
3. Facility or other infrastructure inspections;
4. Traffic management;
5. Haz-Mat response;
6. Search and rescue;
7. Barricaded persons;
8. Scene documentation;
9. Structure fire support;
10. Disaster response;
11. Training;
12. As otherwise approved by the City Manager.
06.04.5 REQUEST PROCESS
A. All requested uses will be approved by either of the following designated city officials:
1. Assistant/Deputy City Manager;
2. Emergency Services Coordinator;
3. Fire Chief;
4. Police Chief.
B. Coworkers desiring the use of the UAS shall make the request through their chain
of command to their Bureau Commander who will then forward the request to the
Chief of Police. In the absence of the Chief of Police, the Bureau Commander from
which the request has been made shall make the request to one of the other
designated city officials.
C. If the request for the UAS is approved, UAS operators will be contacted via the
process outlined within the city Unmanned Aerial Systems Policy Manual.
General Order 06.04 UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS Page 3 of 3
06.04.6 DIGITAL MEDIA
A. All data, images, video, and metadata captured, recorded, or otherwise produced
by the equipment while being operated by the Concord Police Department shall be
considered the property of the department.
B. Digital media collected by UAS shall be downloaded, documented and stored via
Evidence.com following the completion of each mission.
C. Coworkers shall not edit, alter, erase, duplicate, copy, s hare, or otherwise
distribute in any manner any digital media collected by UAS operated by the
Concord Police Department without approval by the Chief of Police.
JAMES S. HUGHES
CHIEF OF POLICE