Mission:

The mission of the Fullerton Police Departments Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) program is to provide airborne support to police and emergency operations in a safe, responsible, and transparent manner, for the purpose of increasing the safety and security of citizens in the City of Fullerton.

Overview

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), more commonly referred to as drones, have proven to be a valuable resource for law enforcement, first responders, and during emergency service operations. The Fullerton Police Department and many other law enforcement agencies have adopted drone programs after seeing the benefits and value they provide to improving public safety. Some examples include; providing an overhead view of a specific area or incident for ground personnel, safely clearing the interior of buildings, providing detailed documentation of crime and accident scenes, and searching for lost or missing persons.

History

The Fullerton Police Department initiated its development of the UAS Program in 2018 and spent the next two years researching the project before its implementation. While developing the program, the Fullerton Police Department studied the use of the UAS technology in public safety operations around the country, while also researching best practices, policies, and procedures regarding the use of UAS technology in law enforcement.

 

A large portion of the team’s research was an effort to address concerns about public trust, civil liberties, and the public’s right to privacy during the operation of the UAS systems. It is important to note that, out of respect for civil liberties and personal privacy, the Fullerton Police Department UAS Policy specifically prohibits the use of UAS Systems for random surveillance activities, to target a person 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.  The UAS will not be weaponized.  The Fullerton Police Department UAS Team maintains a strict adherence to the 4th amendment to the Constitution and trains regularly to maintain that reputation.

Prior to launching the UAS program, five sworn police officers were trained in the operation of UAS technology, and earned required commercial licenses (FAA Part 107) and certifications necessary to operate UAS’ in the performance of their law enforcement duties. The UAS Program has been approved with a Certificate of Authorization from the Federal Aviation Administration for use as a Police Agency.

Meet the Team

Program Manager: Lieutenant Tony Rios
Program Coordinator: Sergeant Matt Martinez
Chief Maintenance Officer & Pilot: Corporal Austin Grogan
Chief Maintenance Officer Pilot: Corporal Nick Jarvis
Chief Pilot: Corporal Luis Ramirez
Chief Pilot: Corporal Matt Kalscheuer
Pilot: Corporal Joshua Manes
Pilot: Officer Jaime Arroyo
Pilot: Officer Nicholas Ashman
Pilot: Officer Natali Valdes
Pilot: Corporal Jason Ham
Pilot: Officer Kota Ebiko
Pilot: Corporal Brian Wilder
Pilot: Officer Jason Coleman

Resources

• Fullerton Police Department Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Operations Policy #606
• City of Fullerton website on use of UAS’s
• UAS FAQ’s
• PowerPoint Presentation to Council
• Know Before You Fly is an education campaign to educate prospective users about the safe and responsible operation of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS)
• The Federal Aviation Administration provides guidelines for hobby, recreational and commercial use of model aircrafts, including drones
• Effective 12/21/2015, anyone who owns a small unmanned aircraft (including a drone) must register with the Federal Aviation Administration's Unmanned Aircraft System registry before they fly outdoors
• The Academy of Model Aeronautics is an organization which provides information rules and regulations for recreational UAS use. They have published a safety code

 

Unmanned Aircraft Systems FAQ

What is a drone or UAS?

UAS is an Unmanned Aerial System and is commonly called a drone. A drone is an aerial device with an onboard computer that is operated remotely, generally by a pilot on the ground using a handheld controller. Small drones are battery operated, weigh less than 55 pounds, have several rotors like a helicopter, and are equipped with a video camera.

Where is the video and photos taken by the UAS stored?

All video activation and/or photo evidence collected during any UAS mission is stored in the same manner and location as Body Worn Camera (BWC) video and other investigative evidence. The Police Department utilizes a private “cloud” service, Evidence.com, to store all digital evidence. The service is authorized and certified under both state and federal regulations for the security and protection of confidential information, and is available only for official law enforcement purposes. Evidence is stored and saved for a limited time (one year or less) unless it is categorized as evidence in an actual crime or formal investigation. Then it is stored for a period of time consistent with all other evidence related to that incident/investigation.

Who has access to the video and photos?

Video and photos that are collected by UAS are stored for the purposes of conducting police investigation and subsequent prosecutions. Accordingly, videos and photos are generally accessible to police investigators for official use only. Like all police records, video and photos may also be subject to additional release under the same rules and restrictions as BWC Video and other items of evidence. Generally, UAS photos and video are considered part of the investigative record and are not available to the public under the California Public Records Act (CPRA) or Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). For more details, please refer to the Fullerton Police Department policy on Portable audio/video recorders.

How is my privacy protected?

The Fullerton Police Department UAS program policy prohibits UA operators from intentionally recording or transmitting images of any location where a person would have a reasonable expectation of privacy, such as private backyards or inside private buildings, except where authorized by a warrant issued by a judge or in emergency situations. Reasonable precautions can include, for example, deactivating or turning imaging devices away from such areas or persons during UAS operations.

What training do UAS pilots undergo?

In addition to the training and study required to maintain a FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot License, all Fullerton Police UAS Team members train regularly in a variety of locations and settings to ensure operational efficiency. All training is documented, and the records are maintained by Fullerton Police Department and are subject to review by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

What rules and regulations must Fullerton Police UAS pilots follow?

All Fullerton Police UAS pilots are subject to FAA regulations related to airspace use, and all must have a valid “Part 107” Remote Pilot License. UAS Pilots are also subject to the Fullerton Police Department Policy on UAS Operations. Policy Section #606.

Why does Fullerton Police Department use UAS rather than helicopters?

Helicopters and other manned aircraft (air support) are very expensive to operate. Currently, The Fullerton Police Department relies on the Anaheim Police Department, California Highway Patrol and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department for air support. UAS can be used in a variety of ways that supplement mutual aid air support requests in a cost-effective and efficient manner.

Who authorizes the use and deployment of the UAS?

The UAS Program Manager (Lieutenant) or UAS Program Coordinator (Sergeant) authorizes the use and deployment of the UAS. In emergency or exigent situations, the on-duty Watch Commander can authorize the deployment of a UAS.

How do I ask a question or make a complaint about UAS use in Fullerton?

Anyone may email the UAS Team directly at FPD-UAS@FULLERTONPD.ORG Contact the UAS Manager, Lieutenant Tony Rios at TRIOS@FULLERTONPD.ORG. Also anyone may make a service complaint to the Fullerton Police Department in person, via phone (714) 738-6716.