GO 525.0920 - Uncrewed Aerial Systems June202024

SACRAMENTO POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDERS GO 525.09 Page 1 of 3 525.09 UNCREWED AERIAL SYSTEMS (UAS) 06-28-2023 PURPOSE This policy establishes guidelines for the use and oversight of the Sacramento Police Department’s Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS). The City of Sacramento and the p olice department intend to use the UAS Program to support municipal operations in a safe, responsible, and transparent manner, in order to increase the quality of life in Sacramento. POLICY It shall be the policy of the Sacramento Police Department to utilize Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) for official law enforcement purposes to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of public safety efforts in a manner that safeguards the privacy of our community. Safety and privacy shall be the primary concern in each and every operation. Use of a UAS will be in strict accordance with s tate and federal laws and in compliance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and city regulations. For the purposes of this order, the designee for the chief of police shall be either a lieutenant assigned to the Metro Division or the Metro Division Captain. PROCEDURE A. DEFINITIONS 1. CERTIFICATE OF WAIVER OR AUTHORIZATION (COA) - A waiver granted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) giving permission to trained and certified p ilots to fly within specific parameters and predetermined boundaries. 2. COMMAND SYSTEM – Remote controller and screen/application used to control and operate UAS . 3. FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION (FAA) -The national aviation authority of the United States with powers to generally regulate all aspects of American aviation. 4. VISUAL OBSERVER (VO) – Secondary operator who assists the pilot with approved missions . 5. PILOT – Authorized operator of the UAS. 6. PROGRA M MANAGER – Metro Air Ops/Traffic Lieutenant, or designated by the Chief of Police 7. UAS SERGEANT – A sergeant assigned to the UAS Unit, or sergeant responsible for the direct supervision of the UAS Unit. 8. RECORDED MEDIA - Video signals recorded or digitally stored on a storage device or portable media. 9. SMALL UNCREWED AERIAL SYSTEM (sUAS) – System consisting of an uncrewed aircraft or uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) weighing less than 55lbs . and equipment necessary for the safe and efficient operation of that aircraft . 10. UNCREWED AERIAL VEHICLE (UAV) – An uncrewed aircraft of any type that is capable of sustaining flight, whether programmed or remotely controlled. UAVs are a component of an Unc rewed A erial System (UAS) . 11. UNCREWED AERIAL SYSTEM (UAS) – A UAS consists of an Un crewed Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and all supporting or attached systems designed for gathering information through imaging, recording or any other means. B. TRAINING 1. Police personnel who are assigned to the UAS u nit must complete a d epartment approved initial and recurring training to ensure proper use and operations. 2. All agency personnel with UAS responsibilities shall also be trained in the local and federal laws and regulations, as well as policies and procedures governing the deployment and use of UAS. 3. Use of any UAS systems for training shall require approval from the UAS Sergeant. 4. Any audio, video, or images captured during training flights shall be retained for at least 90 days. Any training video which inadvertently captures images or evidence related to a crime or other significant event shall be retained in accordance with the City of Sacramento video retention schedule. 5. The UAS Sergeant shall include flyaway, lost link, and crash- landing procedures into the training curriculum. 6. Prior to UAS operation at night, the UAS Sergeant shall implement training procedures that specifically address physiological conditions which may degrade night vision and overcom ing visual illusions SACRAMENTO POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDERS GO 525.09 Page 2 of 3 caused by darkness. Night operations shall comply with the applicable COA when necessary. 7. Any training done away from a police facility shall be conducted within FAA Regulations. C. DEPLOYMENT 1. Only authorized operators who have completed the required training shall be permitted to operate the UAS during approved missions. 2. UAS shall only be deployed with the approval of the on- duty watch commander, his/her designee or a lieutenant assigned to the Metro Division. UAS may be deployed for required department training with the approval of the Metro UAS Sergeant . 3. UAS deployment will be considered when an aerial view would assist officers or incident commanders with the following situations : a. Major collision investigation and recreation b. Missing persons or search and rescue operations c. Natural disaster management d. Post-event crime scene photography and documentation e. SWAT, tactical or other public safety and life preservation missions f. In response to specific requests from local, state or federal fire authorities for fire response and/or prevention. g. Pursuant to a search warrant h. 3D mapping of critical infrastructure or locations used for large scale public events i. Other events as authorized by the Chief of Police or his/her designee 4. UAS shall not be used: a. To conduct random surveillance on citizens . b. To harass, intimidate or discriminate against any individual or group. c. T o conduct personal business