Howard County Police To Purchase Drones

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — The Howard County Police Department plans to purchase three drones for a one-year field test after a work group evaluated their use in police operations and extended a recommendation to utilize them. The work group examined various issues related to drone use in law enforcement, including usefulness, transparency, training and privacy issues.

“Law enforcement agencies across the nation have adopted aerial drones for a variety of uses, like locating lost children and seniors, providing real time information in crisis situations, reaching remote crime scenes, and aiding search-and-rescue operations,” said Police Chief Lisa Myers in a statement. “We are taking a measured approach to using the technology with three drones to start the year-long field test.”

The Howard County Police Department will follow guidelines from the ACLU to ensure the community can benefit from drone technology without privacy concerns. The department plans to use drones in situations when life and safety are at risk, or when there are specific grounds to believe that the drone will collect evidence relating to criminal activity, the department noted. They will not be used for mass surveillance that could violate First Amendment-protected activities.

Images taken by the three new drones, which together will cost $38,400, will not be retained unless there is reasonable suspicion that they contain evidence of criminal activity or are relevant to an ongoing investigation or pending criminal trial. All other images will be deleted.

The field test will start with up to 10 officers who will stay in their current assignments and respond to incidents when a drone is needed. They will be trained and certified remote pilots, as required by the FAA.

“Howard County is known throughout our state and nation as one of America’s safest communities. The implementation of drones by the Howard County Police Department will improve our abilities to be quicker, more agile, and more effective at protecting our residents,” said Howard County Executive Calvin Ball.