Mission:

The mission of the Palm Springs Police Department Drone Program is to provide air support to police operations in strict accordance with constitutional and privacy rights and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations. 

Overview:

The deployment of unmanned aerial systems by public safety organizations across the country has proven invaluable in improving efficiency, mitigating risk, and preventing injury for both the public and first responders. By affording the department an opportunity to visually access hazardous mountainous terrain or remote desert areas quickly, efficiency is increased in locating lost hikers, at-risk dependent adults, and missing children. Unmanned aerial systems also enable the department to exponentially magnify our capabilities when providing critical overwatch protection during popular large scale special events by increasing our ability to recognize traffic safety hazards or potential pre-assault indicators, and proactively circumventing pending danger or violence without significantly increasing staffing requirements. Unmanned aerial systems provide the ability to monitor rapidly evolving reports of at-large persons suspected of serious criminal offenses or individuals threatening violent behavior before potentially dangerous face-to-face contact is required. 

Policy and Prohibited Use:

The UAS was acquired under the guidelines outlined in Assembly Bill 481 (AB481), which covers the use of Military Equipment. UAS Policy / AB481

Prohibited Use: The UAS and its video surveillance equipment shall not be used: 

• To conduct random surveillance activities.
• To target a person(s) 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.
• For routine surveillance of anyone freely engaging in a constitutionally protected legitimate right to peacefully assemble, demonstrate, or exercise free speech. However, if clear indications of pending violence become imminent at an organized protest, demonstration, or impromptu public gathering, the Chief of Police or their authorized designee may consider deployment of the UAS if appropriate to safeguard overall public safety.
• For unofficial personal uses of any kind.

The UAS shall not be weaponized.