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\n\n--- Page 1 ---\n\nTALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDERS SUBJECT Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems CHIEF OF POLICE Signature on file Proudly Policing Since 1841 Nationally Accredited 1986 NUMBER ORIGINAL ISSUE CURRENT REVISION TOTAL PAGES 9 01/29/2020 N/A 9 AUTHORITY/RELATED REFERENCES 14 CFR Part 107, Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems FS Chapter 119, Public Records FS 934.50, Searches and Seizures Using a Drone General Records Schedule GS1-SL For State and Local Government Agencies General Records Schedule GS2 For Law Enforcement General Order 17, Records Management General Order 19, Digital Evidence Capturing Devices ACCREDITATION REFERENCES CFA Chapter 32 KEY WORD INDEX Digital Evidence/Records Retention Protocols Procedure V Flight Operations Procedure IV General Information Procedure I Maintenance Protocols Procedure VII Mutual Aid Considerations Procedure IX Program Coordinator Responsibilities Procedure II Restrictions Procedure VIII Training and Qualification Procedure VI Utilization Criteria Procedure III POLICY The Department is responsible for implementing protocols for the proper and legal utilization of Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (SUAS). Members and other authorized City of Tallahassee employees shall abide by established protocols in the operation and maintenance of Department SUAS.\n\n--- Page 2 ---\n\nTALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT DEFINITIONS FAA: Federal Aviation Administration. Program Coordinator: The member or other authorized City of Tallahassee (COT) employee responsible for performing administrative duties for the Department’s SUAS program. Remote Pilot in Command (RPIC): The member or other authorized COT employee exercising control over the SUAS during the flight, to include takeoff and landing. Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (SUAS): A Department-owned or authorized aircraft without an on-board human pilot, which is flown either autonomously by computers in the aircraft or under the remote control of an RPIC. Visual Observer (VO): The member or other authorized COT employee who maintains the line of sight and 360° hazard awareness around the SUAS at all times during the flight, to include takeoff and landing, and assists the RPIC in carrying out all duties required for the safe operation of the SUAS. PROCEDURES I. GENERAL INFORMATION A. The utilization of the Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (SUAS) is intended to enhance the efficiency and safety of law enforcement activities by the Department. B. The SUAS shall be deployed and used only to support official law enforcement and public safety missions. C. The Program Coordinator is appointed by the Chief of Police or designee. D. Any member or other City of Tallahassee employee involved in SUAS utilization shall adhere to applicable Florida Statutes and Federal Aviation Regulations for SUAS utilization. II. PROGRAM COORDINATOR RESPONSIBILITIES A. The Program Coordinator is responsible for ensuring policy compliance in SUAS utilization. GENERAL ORDER 9 PAGE 2 of 9 SMALL UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS JANUARY 29, 2020\n\n--- Page 3 ---\n\nTALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT B. The Program Coordinator is the Department’s designated liaison with the FAA regarding applicable Federal Aviation Regulations for SUAS utilization. C. Program Coordinator responsibilities include, but are not necessarily limited to, those listed below: 1. Ensuring all requisite training is conducted prior to SUAS utilization. 2. Maintaining all records pertinent to the SUAS program, to include at a minimum: a. Budgetary and financial records, b. Current roster of RPICs and VOs, c. Training records, d. Utilization/flight documentation, and e. Maintenance records. 3. Performing inspections of utilization/flight documentation on a regular basis to ensure compliance with applicable Department written directives, FS 934.50 (Searches and Seizures Using a Drone), and 14 CFR Part 107. 4. Maintaining a current FAA Part 107 certificate. 5. Communicating with the FAA, in compliance with 14 CFR Part 107, in reporting and follow-up action on SUAS accidents. 6. Ensuring all flight operations are conducted safely and in compliance with applicable Federal Aviation Regulations. 7. Terminating an SUAS flight as needed because of safety concerns. 8. Verifying RPICs maintain current qualifications and certifications. 9. Ensuring each RPIC is provided with all necessary flight-related materials, checklists and equipment. III. UTILIZATION CRITERIA A. The utilization of an SUAS is authorized only as follows: GENERAL ORDER 9 PAGE 3 of 9 SMALL UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS JANUARY 29, 2020\n\n--- Page 4 ---\n\nTALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT 1. Training missions, and 2. Emergency situations and exigent circumstances in compliance with the specific criteria outlined in FS 934.50. B. In consideration of the authority and restrictions of FS 934.50, the Department permits the utilization of an SUAS as follows: 1. During the execution of a search warrant signed by a judge specifically authorizing the use of an SUAS. 2. To counter a high risk of a terrorist attack by a specific individual or organization if the United States Secretary of Homeland Security determines that credible intelligence indicates there is such a risk. 3. With reasonable suspicion that, under particular circumstances, swift action is needed to: a. Prevent imminent danger to life, b. Prevent serious damage to property, c. Forestall the imminent escape of a suspect, d. Forestall the imminent destruction of evidence, or e. Facilitate the search for a missing person. C. Except as provided in subsection D below, all requests for SUAS utilization shall be made to the Program Coordinator, or designee, who will determine whether or not the request meets the utilization criteria. D. Exceptions to the mandate of subsection C above include: 1. The Tactical Apprehension and Control (TAC) Team Commander may authorize SUAS utilization in any incident involving the TAC Team as long as the utilization meets the criteria set forth in subsection B above. 2. The Special Response Team (SRT) Commander may authorize SUAS utilization in any incident involving the SRT as long as the utilization meets the criteria set forth in subsection B above. GENERAL ORDER 9 PAGE 4 of 9 SMALL UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS JANUARY 29, 2020\n\n--- Page 5 ---\n\nTALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT IV. FLIGHT OPERATIONS A. All missions shall be flown in accordance with 14 CFR Part 107 and current FAA regulations for SUAS utilization. B. The FAA Certificate of Authorization (or any waiver) granted to the Department will dictate any exceptions from 14 CFR Part 107 or current FAA regulations. C. The SUAS shall be operated only by RPICs who have trained in the operation of the system. D. Per FAA policy, no SUAS will be flown unless there are two people dedicated to the entirety of the flight. a. One person shall be designated as the RPIC and the other as the VO. b. The SUAS may be flown under both autonomous and semi- autonomous modes. E. The SUAS will weigh less than 55 pounds. F. The SUAS shall be operated only under a visual line of sight (i.e., the SUAS must remain within the visual line of sight of the RPIC or VO). G. The SUAS shall not purposely be operated over anyone not directly involved in the operation unless: 1. An exception is granted by the FAA, or 2. It is during an operation to safeguard human life where a human being is located under a covered structure or inside a stationary vehicle which can provide reasonable protection from a falling SUAS. H. Except as noted below, the SUAS will be flown only during daylight operations (daylight is defined as the local sunrise and sunset times as reported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). 1. Nighttime flights will be authorized if the FAA Certificate of Authorization provides an exception for nighttime flight operations. 2. In the absence of an exception provided by the FAA, a nighttime flight is only authorized to safeguard human life. GENERAL ORD