Drones

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Program Overview

The Savage Police Department has implemented a program to use unmanned aerial systems (UAS), also known as drones, to support law enforcement operations. This support includes situation awareness, search and rescue operations, and improved public safety outcomes.

Savage's use of drones will be guided by Minnesota State Statutes §626.19.

Using drones will enhance the Savage Police Department's mission of protecting lives and property when other means and resources are not available or are less effective.

Drone Use

Only authorized operators who have completed the required training will be permitted to operate the drones. Most uses will require a search warrant, except for the following situations:

During or in the aftermath of an emergency situation that involved a risk of death or bodily harm to a person.
To document evidence that is at imminent risk of destruction.
Over a public event where there is a heightened risk to the safety of participants or bystanders.
To counter the risk of a terrorist attack by a specific individual or organization when credible intelligence indicates a risk.
To prevent the loss of life and property in natural or man-made disasters and to facilitate operational planning, rescue, and recovery operations.
To conduct a threat assessment in advance of a specific event
To collect information from a public area when there is reasonable suspicion of criminal activity.
To collect information for crash reconstruction after a serious or deadly collision on a public road.
Over a public area, or over a private area with the written consent of the occupant, for officer training or public relations purposes.
For purposes unrelated to law enforcement at the written request of a government entity that specifies the reason for the request and the proposed period of use.
To facilitate the active search for a missing person.

Prohibited Use

The drones will not be used in the following situations:

To conduct random surveillance activities.
To target a person based solely on individual characteristics, such as, but not limited to race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, disability, gender, or sexual orientation.
To harass, intimidate or discriminate against any individual or group.
To conduct personal business of any type.
In any other manner prohibited by law.
The drones will not be equipped with weapons.

Other limitations:

Drones must comply with all Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements and guidelines.
Drones will not use facial recognition or other biometric-matching technology unless expressly authorized by a warrant.
Drones will not collect data on public protests or demonstrations unless expressly authorized by a warrant or an exception under Minn. Stat. §626.19 Subd. 3, unless a warrant was obtained.

Documenting Use

Each use of the drone is documented and reviewed
3rd-party software stores all flight data, including dates, times, altitude, speed, and direction of the drone. Complaints can be investigated using the stored flight data.

Policy

View the Savage Police Department's Unmanned Aerial System Policy.