ATHERTON POLICE DEPARTMENT
Inter-Department Correspondence
To: Chief McCulley
From: Commander Larsen
Date: February 270, 2025
Subject: 2024 Unmanned Aerial System (Drone) Audit
Audit Purpose:
The purpose of this audit is to ensure compliance with Lexipol Policy Section 616 - Unmanned Aerial System, with special attention to subsections 616.3 - Privacy and 616.4 - Program Coordinator (maintaining a current FAA Certificate of Waiver or Authorization & FAA Notice to Air Missions). Additionally, this audit reviews the operational benefits of the drone program in enhancing law enforcement capabilities.
Audit Scope:
This audit included checking for saved video of drone flights and ensuring compliance with maintaining a current FAA Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA) and FAA Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM). The audit also evaluates the program's expansion and the role of drones in public safety.
Audit Methodology:
• Checked Paladin Watchtower software for any saved inflight videos. • Reviewed the department's COA and NOTAM documents for FAA compliance.
• Analyzed drone flight statistics and program enhancements.
Audit Results:
Lexipol Policy 616.3 - Privacy:
This policy states: "Absent a warrant or exigent circumstances, operators and observers shall not intentionally record or transmit images of any location where a person would have a reasonable expectation of privacy." • A search of Paladin Watchtower software found no saved inflight videos. • The software logged 118 flights during the 2024 calendar year, reflecting a significant increase in usage compared to 2023 (47 flights).
Lexipol Policy 616.4 - Program Coordinator:
This policy states that the program coordinator will be responsible for managing the UAS program and ensuring COA and NOTAM compliance.
• The program's COA remains valid from January 19, 2023, to January 18, 2025.
• The NOTAM is current with a renewal date of December 31, 2025. • The drone program experienced downtime due to necessary repairs after a collision and a connectivity issue with the new drone's attached camera.
These issues are part of the learning process when adopting new technology, and overall, the program continues to grow in effectiveness.
Program Enhancements and Benefits:
In October 2024, the department added a drone dock and a new drone. The dock allows the drone to remain charged and ready for deployment at a moment's notice, eliminating the need for daily setup and frequent battery swaps. This has significantly improved response times and operational readiness.
The program is currently limited to daytime operations because the drone camera cannot pick up the QR code needed to land on the dock. To address this, the department is in the process of purchasing and installing a light to illuminate the QR code, which will enable the drone to be used during hours of darkness.
The drone program provides significant benefits to policing, including:
• Enhanced situational awareness: Drones provide aerial perspectives that improve officer safety and tactical decision-making in active incidents. • Rapid deployment: The ability to quickly launch a drone for real-time reconnaissance aids in search and rescue operations, suspect pursuits, and disaster response.
• Evidence gathering: While adhering to privacy regulations, drones assist in documenting crime scenes and accidents more efficiently than traditional methods.
• Cost-effectiveness: Utilizing drones reduces the need for expensive helicopter deployments, allowing for aerial surveillance at a fraction of the cost.
• Increased coverage: With 118 flights covering 75 miles and 17 flight hours in 2024, drones have expanded the department's ability to monitor large areas effectively.
Audit Action Items:
• Continue renewing NOTAM every four months to maintain FAA compliance.
• Continue monitoring drone performance and addressing any operational challenges to improve uptime and reliability.
• Explore additional training opportunities to maximize the effectiveness of drone deployments.
• Complete the installation of a light to illuminate the drone dock QR code to enable nighttime operations.
The continued expansion of the drone program has provided increased operational efficiency, improved officer and public safety, and enhanced the department's ability to respond to a variety of incidents effectively. As technology continues to advance, the integration of drones into law enforcement remains a critical asset for modern policing.
319-25 Reneed a concur with
the actian item recommendations,