37903698.pdf

\n\n--- Page 1 ---\n\nGAINESVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDER TITLE ACCREDITATION Drone Program N/A PRIOR REVISIONS N/A PROPONENT UNIT Patrol Support Bureau ATTACHMENT: 0 NUMBER ISSUE DATE REVISION DATE TOTAL PAGES 46.14 07/23/2020 New 10 I. PURPOSE: This order describes the policies and procedures regarding Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). II. POLICY: The Drone program utilized by the Gainesville Police Department under the guidance of the Joint Aviation Unit. The department will operate in a responsible manner to ensure the privacy of its citizens and visitors, and adhere to and uphold the laws established to protect the privacy of the public. Refer to 14 C.F.R. Part 107 and F.S.S. 934.50. III. DEFINITIONS: Air Traffic Control (ATC): A service operated by appropriate authority to promote safe the safe and orderly and expeditious flow of air traffic. Aviation Unit Commander: Lieutenant assigned the Patrol Support Bureau who has oversight over the entire aviation unit. Certificate of Authorization (COA): Authorization issued by Federal Aviation Administration to a public operator for specific unmanned aircraft activity. Crew Resource Management (CRM): The application of team management concepts in the flight deck environment. Drone Team: Team comprising of certificated UAS operators led by a Sergeant level supervisor. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA): The division of the United Stated Department of Transportation that is a national authority with powers to regulate all aspects of civil aviation. National Airspace System (NAS): The common network of U.S. airspace air navigation facilities, equipment, services, airports, landing areas, aeronautical charts, information and service rules, regulations, procedures, technical information and manpower and material. 1 Scope: Sworn Department Members and Command Staff\n\n--- Page 2 ---\n\nGAINESVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT NOTICE TO AIRMEN (NOTAM, DROTAM): A written notification issued to warn pilots before flight, advising of circumstances relating to the environment and area use for safe and legal flying. Remote Pilot in Command (RPIC): A person who holds a current remote pilot certificate with a UAS rating and has final authority of all flight operations, and responsible for the safe and lawful operations of the aircraft. Single Pilot Resource Management (SRM): The ability for a pilot to manage all resources effectively to ensure the outcome of the flight is successful. Unmanned Aerial System (UAS): The entire package of components, to include the aerial vehicle, pilot in- command, crew members, operating systems, and equipment components required for flight operations. Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV): An aircraft piloted remotely, with no human control from in or on the aircraft. See DRONE. Visual Line of Sight (VLOS): The ability to see the aircraft with the unenhanced sight (naked eye) of the pilot in-command or visual observer. Visual Observer (VO): A person acting as a flight crew member to help see and avoid air traffic or other objects in the sky, overhead, or on the ground. IV. GENERAL CONDUCT A. Drone Team members shall comply with the rules and regulations established by the department, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules and procedures, and operate the aircraft in a safe and prudent manner. All flights will be conducted with strict adherence to the protection of the public’s personal safety. B. All flights will be conducted in compliance with US code CFR 14 part 107, and F.S.S. 934.50 C. Any flights for investigative or intelligence gathering will be conducted with lawful purpose, and with appropriate court authority as required. Generally, the unit shall not record as a matter of course. Any recordings made will be for lawful reason, and shall be safeguarded as evidence. D. According to Florida State Statute 934.50: A Law enforcement agency may not use a drone to gather evidence or other information. Florida State Statute does not prohibit the use of a drone: 1. To counter a high risk of a terrorist attack by a specific individual or organization if the United States Secretary determines that credible intelligence indicates that there is a risk. 2\n\n--- Page 3 ---\n\nGAINESVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT 2. If the law enforcement agency first obtains a search warrant signed by a judge authorizing the use of a drone. 3. If the law enforcement agency possess reasonable suspicion that, under particular circumstances, swift action is needed to prevent imminent danger to life or serious damage to property, to forestall the imminent escape of a suspect or the destruction of evidence, or to achieve purposes including to but not limited to, facilitating the search of a missing person. E. The decision whether or not to launch an aircraft and fly a specific mission during a specific time period will solely be made by the remote pilot in command (RPIC.) A RPIC’s decision to not fly a mission SHALL not be countermanded by any other person, regardless of rank. F. At the conclusion of every flight, a flight log will be completed and kept on file (Location TBD.) G. It is prohibited to use a drone to view or capture any video, picture or recording of any area that a person has a reasonable expectation of privacy without legal authority to do so. Any member violating this may be subject to discipline. V. MEMBERS A. Remote Pilot in Command – All Remote pilots shall 1. Have a valid FAA PART 107 UAS Pilot’s certificate. They will be trained on the UAS model to be used. They will have in their possession a valid remote pilot certificate and picture ID. 2. Remote Pilots will adhere to proper Crew Resource Management (CRM) during all operations. 3. On all missions, Remote Pilots will obtain information regarding purpose, weather, operational requirements, special instructions and procedures. They will determine applicability of UAS deployment as it relates to CFR 14 Part 107, and F.S.S. 934.50 and any COA’s in use by the agency. Factors to be considered will at minimum include the following: Altitude, terrain, weather, range, nearby airport facilities, nearby deployment surroundings, scene safety, and consideration of other resources for completing the airborne mission. 4. Remote pilots will ensure that all required documents, checklists, appropriate portions of this SOP, are available for use in the RPIC’s immediate vicinity. The RPIC will ascertain that the UAS is airworthy and safe for use in accordance with issued checklists and manufacturer specifications. 3\n\n--- Page 4 ---\n\nGAINESVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT 5. The RPIC is responsible for operating the UAS in accordance with applicable federal aviation restrictions, COA’s, FSS and this Policy. 6. The RPIC is responsible for the safety and security of the UAS and nearby ground personnel/ civilians. It is the responsibility of the RPIC to ensure that a proper preflight has been conducted on the UAS prior to launch. All preflight checks will be conducted in accordance with issued checklists. B. Visual Observer: A Visual Observer (VO) can be any person that has been briefed, and understands the requirements of the visual observer position and the responsibility it entails. A VO shall be designated as such by the RPIC prior to all UAS operations. VOs will assist the RPIC during operations and work under the direct supervision of the RPIC. VO’s will receive training on their duties and responsibilities prior to UAS operation. The VO is responsible for the following: 1. VOs will assist the RPIC in maintaining Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) of the inflight UAS; 2. VOs will assist RPIC as necessary and as dictated by the RPIC; 3. VOs will alert the RPIC of any observed manned aircraft in the area; 4. Aid the RPIC by being alert to conditions which could create hazards to flight safety. C. Drone Team Supervisor: Sergeant level supervisor responsible for the Drone Team. D. Aviation Unit commander: Shall have administrative control over Drone Team, equipment, and functio