Report Prepared by: Dan Dabney, Sergeant
Title
SUBJECT: Accept Donated Equipment for Merced Police Department Small Unmanned Aerial Division.
REPORT IN BRIEF
Accept donated equipment from SHOPSABRE CNC and PEL Design for the Merced Police Department Small Unmanned Aerial Division.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion:
A. Accepting (2) DJI Phantom 4 Pro Plus drone donations from SHOPSABRE CNC and FLIR Camera donations from PEL Designs; and,
B. Adopting Resolution 2017-57, a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Merced, California, authorizing the use of unmanned aircraft systems.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, as recommended by Staff; or,
2. Approve, subject to other than recommended by Staff; or,
3. Deny; or,
4. Refer to Staff for consideration of specific items.
AUTHORITY
City of Merced Charter Section 200
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
SHOPSABRE CNC and PEL Designs donation is consistent with the City Council’s FY 17/18 priority of establishing a safer city.
DISCUSSION
With interest in UAS technology (Drones) from emergency first responders dramatically increasing, the Merced Police Department developed and implemented a SUAS (Small Unmanned Aerial Systems) program in October 2016. The division purchased two drones and is comprised of 13 members. The introduction of UAS devices for first responders support and enhance officer safety, preserve life and assist in the capture of criminals as well as gain access to aerial views of an incident.
The following procedures are intended to promote safe, efficient and lawful operation of the Merced Police Department unmanned aerial system (UAS). Safety, above all else, is the primary concern in each and every operation, regardless of the nature of the mission.
It shall be the mission of those personnel of the Merced Police Department who are trained in the use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), to use this resource to enhance the provision of life and property protection, utilizing advanced technology.
It shall be the intent of every UAS pilot to make reasonable effort to not invade a person's reasonable expectation of privacy when operating the UAS. When operating the UAS, Merced Police Department pilots abide by all FAA Regulations for flight and receive the proper authorization for flight.
UAS pilots and observers ensure the protection of private individuals’ civil rights and reasonable expectations of privacy before deploying the UAS. UAS pilots and observers ensure and are held accountable for ensuring that operations of the UAS intrude to a minimal extent upon the private persons and businesses. To accomplish this primary goal, Merced Police Department observes the following:
• When the UAS is flown for training, the onboard cameras are turned so as to be facing away from occupied structures, etc. to minimize inadvertent video or still images of uninvolved persons or property.
• Merced Police Department does not conduct random surveillance activities. The use of the UAS is tightly controlled and regulated.
• All authorized missions for Merced Police Department UAS are for:
• To enhance the provision of life and property protection,
• Merced Police Department UAS operate strictly within the law and regulations. If in doubt, prior to operating the UAS we ensure that the proper forms and applications are applied for and obtained. We balance all operations with the need to accomplish the mission while maintaining public privacy and the freedom from intrusion.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
No appropriations of funds are needed. The cost advantage to the City is equivalent to approximately $8,400.