When police departments first began thinking of how to incorporate drones into their operations 10 years ago, the idea was met with a lot of concern by the public. For most Americans at the time, drones were devices being used by the military to spy on and defeat our enemies. Communities were worried that if put in the hands of police officers, could a drone be abused and used to spy on citizens and infringe upon civil rights? Fast forward to 2022, and police departments across the country are now deploying drones regularly.

One of the keys to making police drone programs possible was the collaboration of departments with American Civil Union (ACLU) representatives and local communities. Since its founding in 1920, the ACLU has adhered to its motto “to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to every person in this country by the Constitution and laws of the United States.” The ACLU has always been wary of how drones could be a tool to abuse power. At the same time, the organization recognizes the potential benefits of drones for police officers. The most successful police drone programs consult ACLU members for advice on how to set up such programs. As technology progresses and new drone laws are introduced, the ACLU has maintained a vigilant stance on educating the public. The ACLU is not opposed to drones, only that they are used in accordance with civil liberties.

Equally as important as collaborating with the ACLU, police departments know that any new technology programs need to be introduced to the communities they are meant to serve. Before police officers begin using their new drones, they often will hold an open forum of some sort with the community and press to introduce the technology. At these events, police officers will explain the drone equipment to be used, the scenarios in which the drones will be deployed, and the many benefits the technology will provide the department and the community. A live demonstration of how the drones work along with a question and answer session is also normally a part of the process.

What police officers and the ACLU have come to learn is that when they are transparent about how and when they will be using drones, the public is very accepting of the technology. For many, they become excited to know that their local police department will have the best of modern policing equipment. It has become undeniable that drones help police officers save lives. Now that more and more police departments across the nation have access to drone technology, the recovery of missing persons has increased dramatically, something that any community can be grateful for.

But police drones are being used well beyond the scope of search and rescue. Drones have sped up and perfected the process of evidence documentation, especially in traffic incidents. They help monitor large gatherings to protect people from a wide range of offenses. They provide officers with situational awareness that is critical in preventing loss of life. And, in the wake of COVID19, drones have been able to help officers carry out their duties while socially distancing. Today, there are hundreds of police departments in the United States implementing drone programs. Within the next few years these numbers will continue to rise, giving police officers what they need to succeed.