Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Proposed Law Enforcement Equipment Use Policy

Unassisted, remotely piloted, powered, unassisted aircraft system (sUAS)

Description

DJI Mavic Enterprise (M3E) Series - This is an outdoor sUAS that includes the aircraft and flight controller uses a 48MP camera, up to 4K/60fps videos and 4K/30fps HDR videos. It has a flight time of 45 minutes with an internally closed battery and obstacle sensing system. The Mavic 3 Enterprise has a 56x hybrid zoom, a 28x digital thermal zoom and a 4/3 CMOS sensor on the mapping version for high resolution photo mapping. The Advanced Pilot Assistance Systems detects objects in the aircraft’s flight path in real-time.

DJI Mavic Thermal (M3T) Series - This is an outdoor sUAS that includes the aircraft and flight controller uses a 48MP camera, up to 4K/60fps videos and 4K/30fps HDR videos. It has a flight time of 45 minutes with an internally closed battery and obstacle sensing system. Mavic 3T's thermal camera has 640 × 512 resolution and supports point and area temperature measurement, high temperature alerts, color palettes, and isotherms to help you find lost or missing people.

DJI Avata Series – This is a smaller sUAS that includes the aircraft and flight controller and first-person view (FPV) goggles. This sUAS uses a 4K camera, up to 4K/60fps videos and 4K/30fps HDR videos. It has a flight time of 34 minutes (47 minutes with the Intelligent Flight Battery Plus) and an obstacle-sensing system. Intended for indoor use.

Brinc Lemur 2 – This is primarily an indoor sUAS that includes floor plan mapping, two-way communications, glass breaker attachment, 4K daytime, night vision, and thermal sensors, 360-degree position hold, live stream off-site.

Autel Evo Max 4N – This is an outdoor sUAS that includes global path planning, 3D scene reconstruction, autonomous obstacle avoidance, 160 X Zoom camera, and laser range finder wide-angle camera, thermal imaging camera, and laser range finder.

DJI Matrice 30T – This is an outdoor sUAS that includes wide-angle zoom, thermal camera with 4K30 resolution, and 41-minute flight time. This sUAS easily handles adverse weather. Thermal cameras can be essential in finding individuals during search and rescue missions.

Quantity

Phase I
2- DJI Mavic 
Enterprise 2- DJI 
Mavic Thermal 
2- DJI Avata

6 Total sUAS
4- TAC for indoor (2 DJI Avata /outdoor ops (2 DJI Mavic) 
2- TSU for outdoor ops (2 DJI Mavic)

The above quantity relates to “Phase One” otherwise known as the sUAS Pilot Program.

Phase II
8- DJI Avata 2
8- DJI Mavic 3T Fly More 
Combo 2- Brinc Lemur 2
2- Autel Evo Max 4N
2- DJI Matrice 30T Plus Combo 

22 Total sUAS

Phase Two may be initiated during the 2024 calendar year.

Expected Lifespan

3-5 years for all sUAS

Purpose

A remotely controlled unassisted aerial vehicle that operates in the air, which is utilized to enhance the safety of the community and officers by providing air support and situational awareness for law enforcement operations. Only assigned operators who have completed the required training shall be permitted to operate the sUAS. Technical Services Unit will manage the UAS program.

Authorized Use

Under Prop E (SF Admin Code 96I.2(e)(2)) the Department is authorized to use sUAS along with or in lieu of vehicle pursuits and to assist with active criminal investigations.

The sUAS will be used for: training and simulations, critical incidents, exigent circumstances, search & rescue, missing persons, Crime Scene Investigation (CSI/TCIU), during suspicious device assessments, planned operations, disaster response and community outreach related to vehicle pursuits and active criminal investigations.

Only assigned operators who have completed the required training shall be authorized to operate the sUAS.

Prohibitions and Restrictions

Department owned sUAS, their accessories, or features/functionalities shall not be used:

1. sUAS-recorded data will not be collected, disseminated, or retained solely for the purpose of monitoring activities protected by the U.S. Constitution, such as the First Amendment's protections of religion, speech, press, assembly, and redress of grievances (e.g., protests, demonstrations).
2. For a non-law enforcement related matter.
3. In an unsafe manner or in violation of any applicable law, rules, or regulations.
4. The sUAS shall not be equipped with weapons of any kind.
5. The sUAS shall not be a force option.

When the sUAS is being flown, operators will take steps to ensure the camera is focused on the areas necessary to the mission and to minimize the inadvertent collection of data about uninvolved persons or places. Operators and Observers shall take reasonable precautions, such as turning imaging devices away, to avoid inadvertently recording or transmitting images of areas where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy, unless authorized by law.

Data Retention

Upon completion of each sUAS mission the digital media evidence (DME) shall be reviewed and evaluated for evidentiary value. All DME shall be uploaded into the Department's digital evidence database.

1. If DME is found to have no evidentiary value, as it is not relevant to a criminal, civil or administrative matter, data must be deleted within 30 days.
2. If a sworn member holding the rank of Captain or higher has determined that data should be retained for more than 30 days due to an open criminal investigation, then the department will retain the record for the period set forth in that determination.
3. If a sworn member holding the rank of Captain or higher has determined that DME has evidentiary value to any administrative or civil investigation or proceeding, the Department shall retain the data for 2.5 years as directed by the City Attorney’s Office.

Fiscal Impact

Phase One Initial Cost (current equipment):
DJI Mavic Enterprise: $8670.45 
DJI Mavic Thermal: $13139.28 
DJI Avata: $2638.00

Total with accessories: $35,053.91

Annual maintenance and battery replacement cost is approximately
$400 per in-service sUAS ($2,400.00).Estimated annual cost for streaming, logs & fleet management SAAS is approximately $40,000/year (Axon Air, 4K/10 pilots).

Phase Two (additional 22 drones, peripheral equipment, and software) Initial Cost: $324,248
Expected Reoccurring Cost: $148,307

Legal and Procedural Rules

DGO 5.01 Use of Force
DGO 8.01 Critical Incident Evaluation and Notification 
Technical Services Unit (TSU) Unit Order – 24-01 
Tactical Company (TAC) Unit Orders – 24-02
Prop E (SF Admin Code 96I.2(d), 96I.2(e))

Training

Required: UAS operators must obtain FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot & Dept. Training.

Optional: California Peace Officer Certification Reporting (POST) Basic 
UAS Operator Training