Agenda Packet_2026-02-03 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Santa Ana Police Department Santa Ana PD Policy Manual Unmanned Aerial System The DFR Unit shall consist of sworn members of the Police Department. Management of the DFR Unit is the responsibility of the UAS Commander, and coordination of the DFR Unit is the responsibility of the assigned UAS sergeants. All DFR Unit personnel shall abide by this policy. 606.5.1 DFR PILOT (a) To be considered for selection as a DFR pilot, applicants must be in good standing with the Department and meet any other standards required by the UAS Commander. (b) A DFR pilot's primary duty is the safe and effective operation of the Department's UAS in accordance with manufacturers' approved flight manual, FAA regulations, and agency procedures. Pilots must remain knowledgeable of applicable FAA regulations; the UAS manufacturer's flight manual, and this policy. (c) Pilots must maintain a valid FAA Part 107 certificate. (d) To fly a flight (other than flights required for initial training or currency), pilots must have completed department-required UAS training, as may be modified from time to time, including three (3) UAS currency events, within the previous 90 days. Currency events include landings, takeoffs, and simulator flights. (e) Night flight requirements are the same as those in subsection (d), but the currency events must be completed at night. A simulator may not be used to complete night currency. (f) DFR pilots may be removed from the UAS Unit and/or flight status at any time by the UAS Unit Commander, for reasons determined by the UAS Unit Commander. These reasons may include, but are not limited to, performance, proficiency, and the like. 606.6 USE OF UAS Only authorized operators who have completed the required training shall be permitted to operate the UAS. Use of vision enhancement technology (e.g., thermal and other imaging equipment not generally available to the public) is permissible in viewing areas only where there is no protectable privacy interest or when in compliance with a search warrant or court order. In all other instances, legal counsel should be consulted. UAS operations should be conducted in accordance with FAA regulations. 606.6.1 AUTHORIZED UAS FLIGHT TYPES UAS are intended to serve as a benefit to public safety and/or public service, improve operational safety, or help manage incidents or events.Authorized UAS use is permissible only in areas where there is no protected privacy interest at issue, when in compliance with a search warrant or court order, or in emergency or exigent circumstances. This policy authorizes the use of a UAS to assist in the following types of incidents: (a) Incident documentation/diagramming (b) Field operations support (li¢�yroA ptg6iFLC 2026/01/05,All Rights Reserved. ***DRAFT51t 59 Unmanned Aerial 02M2026 u ishe wi h permission by Santa Ana Police Department