CITY OF SIMI VALLEY
MEMORANDUM
May 6, 2024
TO: City Council
FROM: Police Department
SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION OF AN UNMANNED AERIAL SYSTEM PROGRAM ,
ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION APPROVING A S IMI VALLEY POLICE
DEPARTMENT POLICY STATEMENT REGARDING THE USE OF
SURVEILLANCE TECHNOLOGIES AND AN OPERATIONAL
POLICY/MANUAL FOR THE DEPARTMENT, AND APPROVE THE
PURCHASE OF UNMANNED AERIAL DEVI CES AS REQUIRED BY AB
481 AND CITY OF SIMI VALLEY ORDINANCE NO. 1342
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2024-11 approving a Simi Valley Police Department policy statement regarding the use of surveillance technologies and an operational policy/manual regulating an Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Program for SVPD, and approve the purchase of UAS devices as required by AB 481 and City of Simi Valley Ordinance No. 1342.
BACKGROUND AND OVERVIEW
Technology is rapidly transforming modern policing. The continuous advancement of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) technology, commonly referred to as "drones," is set to revolutionize law enforcement operations in a manner unmatched by recent innovations. UAS are a portable and easy -to-learn technology utilized by law enforcement agencies across the country to improve operational efficiency as well as officer and community safety.
As of 2020, over 1,500 state and local public safety agencies in the United States, with more than 70% involved in law enforcement, have integrated drones into their operations.
This widespread adoption underscores the increasing significance of drone technology in contemporary policing strategies. At the local level , the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office (VCSO) has maintained a UAS program since 2013, while both the Oxnard and Ventura Police Departments have been operating drone programs for several years.
Existing staffing shortages and resource challenges have compelled the Simi Valley Police Department ( SVPD) staff to seek ways to leverage developing technologies to address public safety issues. The implementation of a UAS Program will allow the Department to use modern technology to respond to in-progress incidents, improve safety
AGENDA ITEM NO.
9A
2 for community members, docu ment crime scenes , assist with crowd monitoring, and enhance search and rescue operations.
With these operational necessities in mind, and with respect for personal privacy and the freedom of community members to go about their lives without unwarranted intrusion from the government, SVPD staff developed a UAS Program Operations Manual. This manual specifically addresses the following elements of the UAS Program:
• Philosophy and Mission Statement
• Protection of Rights and Privacy
• Definitions
• Administration
• Safety
• Training
• General Operating Procedures
• Pre-Flight / Post-Flight Actions
The UAS Program Operations Manual specifically addresses the need for SVPD staff to use UAS in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including those of the federal and state governments, the City of Simi Valley, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), as the FAA certifies and maintains oversight of the UAS Prog ram.
The UAS Program Operations Manual integ rates language from SVPD Policy # 351 (Exhibit A, page 7), which addresses the expectation that SVPD staff will consider individual rights and reasonable expectations of privacy in decisions to use UAS.
The administration of the UAS Program will be the responsibility of the Commander who oversees the Technical Services Team (TST) and will also serve as the Program Coordinator. The TST Commander will be responsible for selecting SVPD staff to serve as observers and operators, performing all administrative duties, and coordinating training for all SVPD staff to ensure a clear understanding of the circumstances under which UAS can be utilized. The TST Commander directly reports to the Investigative Division Assistant Chief, who will provide regular program updates to the Chief of Police after quarterly program audits are conducted in coordination with the SVPD Professional Standards Bureau. In turn, the Chief of Police will provide regular program updates to the City Council as directed.
SVPD, in compliance with AB 481 and City of Simi Valley Ordinance No. 1342, will include the UAS devices as part of the annual Military Equipment Use report.
3 FINDINGS AND ALTERNATIVES
The absence of a UAS program has significantly hampered the Police Department’s ability to efficiently incorporate modern technology into law enforcement practices. With the implementation of such a program, our objective is to improve police effectiveness and provide greater safety support for field officers.
Currently, SVPD relies on VCSO to deploy their UAS team for incidents within Simi Valley.
Establishing a locally managed UAS program would ensure City supervision and management of the program. By having our own drones, we would no longer be reliant on external agencies for this resource, thus enabling us to utilize them more extensively.
This project would require the purchase of equipment (UAS aircraft, cameras, and other equipment) and the acquisition of appropriate FAA licenses. The total initial cost, with tax included, is estimated to be $55,100.
The following alternatives are available to the City Council:
1. Adopt Resolution No. 2024- 11 approving a Simi Valley Police Department policy statement regarding the use of surveil lance technologies and an operational policy/manual regulating an Unmanned Aerial System Program for the P olice Department, and approve the purchase of UAS devices as required by AB 481 and City of Simi Valley Ordinance No. 1342;
2. Do not adopt Resolution No. 2024- 11 approving a Simi Valley Police Department policy statement regarding the use of surveillance technologies and an operational policy/manual regulating an Unmanned Aerial System Program for the Police Department, and approve the purchase of UAS devices as required by AB 481 and City of Simi Valley Ordinance No. 1342; .
3. Provide further direction to staff.
Staff recommends Alternative No. 1.
SUGGESTED CITY COUNCIL MOTION
I move to adopt Resolution No. 2024-11 approving a Simi Valley Police Department policy statement regarding the use of surveillance technologies and an operational policy/manual regulating an Unmanned Aerial System Program for Police Department, and approve the purchase of UAS devices as required by AB 481 and City of Simi Valley Ordinance No. 1342.
4 SUMMARY
A UAS drone program would significantly boost the Simi Valley Police Department's operational efficiency and safety. By enabling aerial surveillance and real -time data collection, drones would enhance search and rescue efforts, emergency assessments, and crowd monitoring, all while reducing risks to officers. This technological advancement promises to improve both officer and public safety, making it a valuable addition to the Department's resources.
____________________________________
Charles Steven Shorts
Chief of Police
Prepared by: Patrick Zayicek, Sergeant (Detective Bureau)
INDEX Page
Resolution No. 2024-11…………………………………. .................... 5 Exhibit A – City of Simi Valley Policy 351 (UAS) .............................. 7
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-11
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SIMI VALLEY APPROVING THE ADOPTION OF SIMI
VALLEY POLICE DEPARTMENT (SVPD) POLICY 351,
UNMANNED AERIAL SYSTEM (UAS) OPERATIONS AND
THE CREATION OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT
UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS (UAS) PROGRAM
WHEREAS, Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) technologies have been successfully used for a variety of purposes by municipal governments throughout the country; and
WHEREAS, the Simi Valley Police Department (SVPD) would like to utilize UAS technology to enhance operations, work safer, and provide more comprehensive and efficient police services; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds and determines that the adoption of SVPD Policy 351 addresses questions and concerns regarding the use of UAS technology, and provides a framework for staff deploying UAS technology with specific operational policies and procedures for any UAS operations with strict adherence and accountability to Policy 351 and all relevant regulations and laws.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SIMI VALLEY DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1
. Resolution No. 2024- 11 hereby establishes the Simi Valley Police Department’s (SVPD) Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) program.
SECTION 2. The City hereby adopts SVPD Policy 351, Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Operations, as shown in Exhibit A, attached to this resolution, and directs SVPD staff to implement this policy.
SECTION 3. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this resolution and shall cause a certified resolution to be filed in the Office of the City Clerk.
5 RES. NO. 2024-11
PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED this 6th day of May 2024.
Attest:
Lucy Blanco, City Clerk Fred D. Thomas, Mayor of the City of Simi Valley, California
Approved as to Form: Approved as to Content:
Algeria R. Ford, City Attorney Brian Paul Gabler, City Manager
Charles Steven Shorts
Chief of Police
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