ECPD looking to implement the use of drones
CBS 13's Alexandra Rangel shows us the new pilot program
EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) - The El Centro Police Department wants to roll out a pilot program allowing officers to use drones for policing, but there are some concerns.
The El Centro Police Department wants to use drones when responding to emergency calls. They say drones are needed in El Centro.
Interest in the program first peaked in 2016.
The Unmanned Aerial System Program was presented by Deputy Chief Robert Sawyer at an El Centro City Council meeting Tuesday night.
Sawyer described several emergency scenarios that would benefit from a drone.
“Such as a barricaded suspect, a hostage situation, time and need for a special needs and tactics team, in response to a lost child or missing person at risk and to document crime scenes and traffic cases," said Sawyer.
Sawyer says the use of a drone would be determined on a case by case basis and would require supervisor approval.
He told the council that the drones would not be used for monitoring purposes.
“Some of the cons that come with a program like this is the mentality that big brother is out there that it’s a surveillance thing and we really want to mitigate those concerns. On the policy that you have, we strictly prohibit the ongoing use of drones for purposes of ongoing generalized surveillance," said Sawyer.
Councilwoman Cheryl Walker agreed. She said this new technology would help provide extra support to police, Something needed especially now that the department is understaffed.
All council members were in agreement with the program, but councilman Thomas Olivas wanted to be assured that the program would not be used to monitor people.
He cited that other police jurisdictions in the state were caught misusing drones and infringing on people's rights.
He also wants the public to have a say.
“We didn't have a zoom meeting, we didn't have a town hall, to fully engage the community. I don't want someone to say they didn't know about this," said Olivas.
ECPD is looking to rollout the program within the next year.
Chief Sawyer said it’s going to take time to find the right aerial system for El Centro that’s going to be cost-effective and beneficial to the needs of the department.
ECPD says they will continue to work with the city to further discuss the implementation of the program before it is officially launched.
