Policy Text
1 DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER
I-26: REMOTE CONTROLLED GROUND SYSTEM (ROBOTS)
and POLE CAMERAS
Effective Date: 29 Sep 23
Coordinator: Electronic Services Unit, Special Operations Division
I. VALUE STATEMENT
The Oakland Police Department promotes approved and safe technology into its
everyday policing. OPD strives in protecting and serving its diverse community
and city through fair, equitable and constitutional policing. Robots and pole
cameras are implemented into OPD’s strategy for success. 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, robots and pole cameras will be utilized in
accordance with OPD Core Values and our Mission.
II. DESCRIPTION OF THE TECHNOLOGY
A. Robot and Pole Cameras Components
A Remote -Controlled Ground System (Robot) : is a n unmanned
machine guided and remotely controlled by a human individual as well as all the supporting or attached systems designed for
gathering information through imaging, recording or by any other
means.
1 Generally, a Robot consists of:
A Robot, composed of:
▪ Platform/Body/Frame that is capable of remote movement,
▪ Radio frequency and antenna equipment to communicate with a
remote -control unit;
▪ A computer chip for technology control;
▪ A camera;
1 This policy does not cover autonomous or partially autonomous robots, only those robots that are directly
controlled by humans.
DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER
OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT Effective Date: 29 Sep 23
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▪ Battery charging equipment for the remote ground / aquatic
vehicle and remote control.
▪ Two-way communication (talk/listen) with transmitter and
receivers and Push to Talk functionality
▪ Robotic claw; and
▪ Single or Double (Twin) pan disrupter on telescoping arm with
camera system
▪ Remote controlled unit (LCD display) with brightness control
A Pole Camera, composed of:
▪ Extendable pole with mounted camera, with thermal
imaging capabilities;
▪ Battery charging equipment for pole and LCD display with
brightness control
▪ Pole cameras do not require remote controlled devices. They
are solely and human- operated by an ESU team member.
B. Purpose
Robots and Pole Cameras have been used to save lives and protect
property and can detect possible dangers that cannot otherwise be seen.
Robots and Pole Cameras can support first responders in hazardous
incidents that would benefit from a ground, and or aquatic level
perspective. In addition to hazardous situations, Robots and Pole Cameras have applications in locating and apprehending subjects, missing persons, and search and rescue operations as well as task(s) that can best be used in crawl spaces or confined isolated areas, or bodies of water. This immensely assists in searches for suspects,
victims or evidence in an efficient and effective manner. Any use of a Robot or Pole Camera will be in strict accordance with constitutional and privacy rights and OPD Policy.
The robot or pole camera may not always be ideal for deployment and
alternatives should always be considered prior to deployment.
C. How the System Works
1. Robots are remotely controlled by humans from a wireless remote -
control unit. The wireless remote -control unit allows operators to
remotely navigate the Robot and manipulate the robotic claw and
DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER
OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT Effective Date: 29 Sep 23
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any accessories and detachable tools.
ESU operators require time to make ready robots and install any
detachable tools. Furthermore, not all attachments are ideal for
each deployment.
2. Pole Cameras are human -operated and require kinetic energy to be
operated.
III. GENERAL GUIDELINES
A. Authorized Use
1. Only authorized operators who have completed the required
training shall be permitted to operate the Robots and Pole
Cameras.
2. Robots and Pole Cameras 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) Training;
h) Hazardous situations which present a high risk to officer
and/or public safety, to include:
i. Barricaded suspects;
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. Service of high- risk search and arrest warrants
involving armed and/or dangerous