Policy Text
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DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER
I-25: UNMANNED AERIAL SYSTEM (UAS)
Effective Date: 8 Feb 23
Coordinator: Electronic Services Unit, Special Operations Division
UNMANNED AERIAL SYSTEMS (UAS)
I. VALUE STATEMENT
The Oakland Police Department believes in protecting and serving its diverse
community and city through fair, equitable and constitutional policing. OPD believes in the usage of technology to aid in this mission and in the investment of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), or better known as “Drones”. These fleets will never replace the police officers who have sworn to protect the community, but will assist in mitigating use of force, bring safe resolutions to critical incidents and help save lives. OPD is committed in safeguarding and respecting the privacy of the community and has brought measures and policies in place to ensure none are violated. Regardless of deployment, UAS will be utilized in accordance with OPD Core Values and our Mission.
II. DESCRIPTION OF THE TECHNOLOGY
A. UAS Components
An Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) is an unmanned aircraft of any type that is capable of sustaining directed flight, whether preprogrammed or remotely controlled (commonly referred to as an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), and all of the supporting or attached components designed for gathering information through imaging, recording or any other means. Generally, a UAS consists of:
● A UAV, composed of:
▪ Chassis with several propellers for flight
▪ Control propellers and other flight stabilization technology
(e.g. accelerometer, a gyroscope),
▪ Radio frequency and antenna equipment to communicate
DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER
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OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT
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with a remote -control unit;
▪ A computer chip for technology control;
▪ A camera, with thermal imaging capabilities ;
▪ A digital image/vide o storage system for recording onto a
digital data memory card;
▪ A removable speaker
▪ A remote -control unit; and
▪ Battery charging equipment for the aircraft and remote
control.
B. Purpose
UAS have been used to save lives and protect property and can detect possible dangers that cannot otherwise be seen. UAS can support first responders in hazardous incidents that would benefit from an aerial perspective. In addition to hazardous situations, UAS have applications in locating and apprehending subjects, missing persons, and search and rescue operations as well as task(s) that can best be accomplished from the air in an efficient and effective manner.
Any use of a UAS will be in strict accordance with constitutional and privacy rights and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations.
UAV’s may not always be ideal for deployment and alternatives should always
be considered prior to deployment
C. How the System Works
1. The FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 provides for the integration of civil unmanned aircraft systems into national airspace by September 1, 2015.
2. UAS are controlled from a remote- control unit. Drones can be
controlled remotely, often from a smartphone or tablet. Wireless connectivity lets pilots view the drone and its surroundings from a birds -eye perspective. Users can also leverage apps to pre- program
specific GPS coordinates and create an automated flight path for the drone. Another wirelessly enabled feature is the ability to track
battery charge in real time, an important consideration since drones use smaller batteries to keep their weight low.
3. UAS have cameras so the UAS pilot can view the aerial perspective.
4. UAS use secure digital (SD) memo ry cards to record image and
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video data; SD cards can be removed from UAS after flights to
input into a computer for evidence.
III. GENERAL GUIDELINES
A. Authorized Use
1. Any use of a UAS will be in strict accordance with constitutional and privacy rights and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations. UAS operations should be conducted in accordance with FAA approval.
2. Only authorized operators who have completed t he required
training shall be permitted to operate the UAS.
3. UAS may only be used for the following specified situations:
a. Mass casualty incidents (e.g. large structure fires with numerous casualties, mass shootings involving multiple deaths or injuries);
b. Disaster management;
c. Missing or lost persons;
d. Hazardous material releases;
e. Sideshow events where many vehicles and reckless driving is present;
f. Rescue operations;
g. Scene documentation for evidentiary or investigation value (e.g. crime, collision, or use of force scenes);
h. Training;
i. Hazardous situations which present a high risk to officer and/or public safety, to include:
i. Barricaded su spects ;
ii. Hostage situations;
iii. Armed suicidal persons;
iv. Arrest of armed and/or dangerous persons (as defined
in OPD DGO J -04 “Pursuit Driving” Appendix A, H
“Violent Forcible Crime” );
v. Operational pre -planning [prior planning for
services of search and arrest warrants. This would provide up- to-date intelligence (e.g. terrain,
building layout) so that personnel allocate
appropriat e resources and minimize last minute
chance encounters and uses of force ]; and
DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER
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OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT
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vi. Service of high- risk search and arrest warrants
involving armed and/or dangerous persons (as
defined in OPD DGO J -04 “Pursuit Driving”
Appendix