INTRADEPARTMENTAL CORRESPONDENCE

October 13, 2017
1.18

TO:

The Honorable Board of Police Commissioners

FROM:

Chief of Police

SUBJECT: PROPOSED SMALL UNMANNED AERIAL SYSTEM (sUAS)
DEPLOYMENT GUIDELINES

RECOMMENDED ACTIONS
I.

That the Board ofPolice Commissioners APPROVE the sUAS Deployment Guidelines

2.

That the Board of Police Commissioners APPROVE the initiation of the sUAS
Deployment One-year Pilot Program

DISCUSSION
On August 8, 2017, the Department appeared before the Board of Police Commissioners(Board)
to propose a one-year pilot program plan for the utilization of a small Unmanned Aerial System
(sUAS), during limited tactical situations, response to natural disasters, or search and rescue
operations. The proposal outlined the pilot program which would follow local, state and federal
laws regulating the use of such devices, as well as adhering to constitutional provisions related to
privacy and freedom of speech. Furthermore, a program manager would be assigned from
Air Support Division(ASD)to manage the pilot program and utilization of the device. The
operation of the device would be limited to specifically trained personnel from the Special
Weapons and Tactics team.
After the August 8th presentation, the Department sought input from the public, holding
community meetings and inviting comments via written and electronic correspondence.
On October 3, 2017, the Department again appeared before the Board to report on the outcome
of the community meetings and public input, and to ask for acceptance of the sUAS Deployment
Guidelines. The guidelines presented to the Board incorporated safeguards to address
community concerns, and were designed to ensure that the Department does not overstep
constitutional provisions that protect privacy or change the scope of the deployment criteria, to
include a prohibition on the weaponization of the devices, with stringent provisions that each
deployment be approved by a staff officer at the rank of deputy chief or higher, with notification
to the Assistant Chief in the chain of command, as well as the Chief of Police. The Board
directed the Department to post the guidelines on the Department website, LAPDONLINE.ORG
to facilitate discussion and access.

 The Honorable Board of Police Commissioners
Page 2
1.18

The guidelines were posted on the Department website as directed by the Board, and a series of
press releases were sent to major media outlets as well as community oriented media
organizations. The guidelines were also posted on the websites of the various Community Police
Advisory Boards across the city. Input was received from the public, mainly through email,
consistent with the previous round of public input. The comments received were both in
opposition to as well as in support of the use of the sUAS deployment. Those opposed, for the
most part, did not have a specific concern with the guidelines as drafted but rather referenced a
belief that the Department could not be trusted to follow its own rules, regardless of how
stringent the guidelines are designed. Thus, they are still opposed. Those in support expressed
the same type of stance as seen in the previous comments, while some said they approved of
adding new technology, others thought the guidelines were too stringent and could hamper
timely response to situations.
The Department is confident the sUAS Deployment Guidelines for the one-year pilot program,
as are currently posted on the Department website and are before you, provide the sufficient level
of approval and review to address community concerns but also provide the Department with an
additional tool to de-escalate volatile tactical situations while reducing harm to the public,
officers and to suspects.
If you have any questions regarding the proposed sUAS Pilot Program and the attached
guidelines, please contact Assistant Chief Beatrice M. Girmala, Director, Office of Special
Operations, at (213)486-8440.

CHARLIE BECK
Chief of Police
Attachment

 LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT
SMALL UNMANNED AERIAL SYSTEM PILOT PROGRAM
DEPLOYMENT GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES

The Department intends to implement a one-year pilot program to evaluate whether a small
unmanned aerial system (sUAS) will enhance the ability of LAPD's Metropolitan Division,
Special Weapons and Tactics team to safely resolve dangerous, high-risk tactical situations and
improve situational awareness capabilities during natural disasters and catastrophic incidents.
BACKGROUND
Public safety agencies throughout the United States have been using sUASs to provide critical
real-time information and situational awareness during volatile and life-threatening incidents.
For example, law enforcement agencies have successfully used sUASs to detect explosives,
assess hazardous materials incidents, respond to major disasters, assist with hostage rescues,
respond to armed and barricaded suspect calls, and find survivors during search and rescue
operations.
The deployment of an sUAS will enhance the Department's ability to protect and serve the
public. It can be effective as a de-escalation tool in preservation of life situations, to identify
suspect locations that otherwise would be inaccessible without the introduction of an armed
officer or K9, and to locate victims in active shooter or mass casualty incidents thus increasing
the ability to render assistance more quickly—all strategic operational goals consistent with the
Department's guiding principle of reverence for human life.
The Department conducted an extensive review of existing sUAS policies, procedures and legal
restrictions to develop guidelines and procedures that consider community concerns and privacy
interests. The Department remains steadfastly committed to protecting the community and
ensuring public safety by adhering to the law and building public trust. Accordingly, this pilot
program will be strictly controlled and monitored with appropriate oversight by the Board of
Police Commissioners and its Office of the Inspector General.
DEFINITIONS
Small Unmanned Aerial System (sUAS)refers to a remotely-operated, lightweight aircraft and its
associated components.
The Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT)is a highly trained and specialized cadre of
Department personnel under the command of Metropolitan Division and the Counterterrorism
and Special Operations Bureau (CTSOB). SWAT personnel respond to high-risk tactical

 sUAS Pilot Program Guidelines & Procedures
PAGE 2

incidents including hostage situations, active shooter incidents, and counterterrorism operations,
and are trained to operate specialized equipment and technology to safely resolve incidents.
The Program Manager is a supervisor assigned to Air Support Division(ASD)responsible for
ensuring compliance with laws and regulations, acquiring Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA) waivers and certificates of authorization, training of sUAS operators, and providing
information and assessments for the evaluation of the pilot program.
sUAS Deployment Log is the written documentation report completed by the officer in charge
(OIC)of SWAT after the approval or denial of an sUAS at the scene of a tactical incident
(Addendum 1).
The Remote Pilot in Charge (RPIC) is a specially-trained SWAT officer holding a remote pilot
certificate with an WAS rating and who is responsible for the safe operation of the sUAS.
The Office ofSpecial Operations Commission Liaisons are two members of the Board of Police
Commissioners designated by the Commission President to review the Department's use and
deployment of the sUAS.
RESPONSIBILITIES
The sUAS will be assigned to the RPIC only and operated in coordination with the Program
Manager from ASD.
SWAT personnel will be responsible for the safe operation of the sUAS during approved
deployments and for documenting the use and deployment of the aircraft.
The Office of Special Operation's Counter-Terrorism and Special Operations Bureau will be
responsible for the oversight and evaluation of the sUAS Pilot Program.
APPROVAL FOR DEPLOYMENT
Any deployment involving the use of an sUAS shall be approved by the on-scene or responding
CTSOB or Office of Special Operations Staff Officer (i.e., Commander or above)and the
Commanding Officer (i.e., Deputy Chief) of CTSOB. In addition, after deployment has been
approved by the CTSOB Commanding Officer, notification shall be made to the Director (i.e.,
Assistant Chief), Office of Special Operations, the Chief ofPolice, and the Office of Special
Operations Commission Liaisons.

 sUAS Pilot Program Guidelines & Procedures
PAGE 3

PERMISSIBLE USES
An sUAS may be deployed to provide enhanced situational awareness solely during the
following circumstances or types of incidents:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Barricaded Suspects;'
Active Shooter Incidents;
Assessments of Explosive Devices and Explosions;
Hostage Situations;
Natural Disasters;
Hazardous Materials Incidents;
Search and Rescue Operations; and,
Perimeter Searches of Armed Suspects with Superior Firepower, an Extraordinary
Tactical Advantage, or Who are Wanted for Assault with a Firearm Against a Police
Officer.

PROHIBITED USES
An sUAS shall not be deployed or used in violation of the law or Constitution. Unless a lawful
exception applies, Department personnel shall obtain a search warrant or other lawful process
when required under the Fourth Amendment or other provision of the law.
An sUAS shall not be deployed when weather conditions or other hazards prevent the safe
operation of the aircraft. In addition, an sUAS shall not be deployed in a manner that exceeds
the manufacturer's recommendations.
An sUAS shall not be deployed or used with any weapons capabilities including any nonlethal or less-than-lethal weapon systems.

The SWAT response criteria for a barricaded suspect is as follows:
1. The suspect is probably armed; and
2. Probable cause exists to believe that the suspect has been involved in a criminal act or is
a threat to the lives and safety of the community and/or police; and
3. Is in a position of advantage, affording cover and/or concealment; or is contained in an
open area and the presence or approach of police officers could precipitate an adverse
reaction by the suspect; and
4. The suspect refuses to submit to a lawful arrest.

 sUAS Pilot Program Guidelines & Procedures
PAGE 4

VIDEO RECORDINGS
Absent exigent or unexpected circumstances, such as a malfunction or technical issue, the RPIC
shall ensure that video transmissions from the sUAS are recorded and retained in accordance
with City retention requirements.
DOCUMENTATION AND INSPECTION PROCEDURES
The request and approval or disapproval of an sUAS deployment shall be documented in an
sUAS Deployment Log by the assigned SWAT OIC.
After each deployment of an sUAS, the assigned SWAT OIC shall complete the sUAS
Deployment Log and ensure that a copy is forwarded to the Commanding Officer, CTSOB and
Director, Office of Special Operations within two business days after the incident has been
resolved. The Office of Special Operations shall also forward a copy of the sUAS Deployment
Log to the Office of Special Operations Commission Liaisons.
The Program Manager shall conduct a monthly inspection of logged missions that will compare
data downloaded from the sUAS to ensure all flight time, including training flight time, is
accounted for. The inspection will include the total number of missions for the reporting period,
total flight time for the reporting period, and matrix of mission purposes. A copy of the monthly
inspection report shall be forwarded to the Commanding Officer, CTSOB and Director, Office of
Special Operations. The Office of Special Operations shall also forward a copy of the report to
the Office of Special Operations Commission Liaisons.
STATUS REPORTS AND PROGRAM EVALUATION
The Department will provide quarterly status reports to the Office of Special Operations
Commission Liaisons on the use and deployment of an sUAS and a copy of the report, with any
necessary redactions, shall also be submitted to the Board of Police Commissioners and publicly
released.
At the end of the pilot program, the Department will provide a Final Report on the Evaluation of
the sUAS Pilot Program to the Board of Police Commissioners. The Final Report will be
reviewed by the Chief of Police and the Office of Special Operations Commission Liaisons prior
to a public presentation to the Board of Police Commissioners and shall include:
• An analysis of the use of an sUAS, including results of monthly audits measuring
performance relative to the adherence of deployment and accountability rules;
• The number ofsUAS deployments;
• The types of situations in which an sUAS was deployed;
• The overall results and effectiveness of an sUAS in resolving incidents;

 sUAS Pilot Program Guidelines & Procedures
PAGE 5

• Whether an sUAS mitigated the risk of harm to officers, suspects, and the public;
• Whether deployment of an sUAS reduced costs associated with responding to similar
incidents; and,
• Recommendations on whether the use of an sUAS should be continued and, if so, any
modifications to these guidelines or other policies and procedures that should be
considered.
PILOT PROGRAM TIME PERIOD
Subject to the approval of these guidelines by the Board of Police Commissioners,the
Department shalt have one year to deploy an sUAS consistent with these guidelines. The oneyear period shall begin on the date the first sUAS is granted a Certificate of Aircraft Registration
by the Federal Aviation Administration.

 Los Angeles Police Department

Small Unmanned Aerial System Deployment Log
Deployment
Request No.

SWAT Incident
No.

Date/Time

Address

Requested by - Name/Serial No.

Search Wan-.
(Y/N)

Geo Area

Type of Incident

CTSOB Approving Authority - Name/Serial No.

Name/Serial No./Div of Pilot(s)

Systems Utilized (list each
sUAS used during incident)

Approved (Y/N)

Video Recorded
Tracking No.

Reason for Deployment Request

Location (interior/exterior) and approximate duration of deployment for each system used

Results of Deployment or Reason for Denial of Deployment Request

SWAT OIC Review (Signature/Serial No.)

Date

METRO C/O Review (Signature/Serial No.)

Date

CTSOB Review (Signature/Serial No.)

Date

OSO Review (Signature/Serial No.)

Date

Ver. 1.1— 09/17