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1. What is a Drone?

What many people refer to as a drone is actually defined by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). Regardless of what it is called, it’s a device capable of controlled flight, and does not have a pilot onboard. These aircraft are very highly regulated by the FAA.

2. How does a UAS work?

Simply stated, UAS fly using a sophisticated autopilot system that assists the pilot when flying the aircraft manually, or has the ability to fly the aircraft by itself using a pre-loaded flight plan designed by the pilot for that specific mission. The UAS is powered by a battery system and during flight the aircraft sends a constant stream of information to the pilot including altitude, heading, bearing, airspeed, position, battery levels, and a live video feed from the aircraft mounted camera system. If there is a loss of communication or the batteries are getting too low, the aircraft has the ability to automatically return to the point of takeoff or gently land immediately.

3. What kind of training do the pilots receive?

Our pilots are licensed police officers that receive highly specialized training. They must successfully pass the FAA’s knowledge exam, specifically the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Title 14, Part 107 (UAS Pilot) certification. In addition to the FAA requirements, our pilots receive training on the operation of our UAS and must familiarize themselves with the Department’s UAS operations policies.

4. What are the specs of your UAS?

The Blaine Police Department intends to purchase a DJI  Matrice M30T UAS. It weighs just over 8 pounds, can fly for approximately 41 minutes on one charge, and can fly at a top speed of 29 miles per hour. It is equipped with a camera and thermal imaging sensor. It also has a spotlight and loudspeaker attachment.

5. Do other enforcement agencies operate UAS?

Yes, the application of UAS allows law enforcement officers to be safer and more effective in a variety of public safety operations. At the end of 2022 there were 98 law enforcement agencies in Minnesota operating UAS and there were a total of 3076 incidents where a UAS was used.

6. How do you intend to use your UAS?

The most frequent uses for the UAS are searching for missing persons and locating criminals attempting to avoid arrest. Aerial views provide a different vantage point and can be enhanced with the use of the FLIR thermal imaging sensor, which allows us to see anything with a heat signature. The UAS is flown in accordance with federal laws, state laws, and the Department’s UAS operational policies.

7. When can you use a UAS without a search warrant?

Minnesota Statute 626.19 restricts the use of a UAS without a search warrant to the following nine circumstances:

1. During or in the aftermath of an emergency situation or disaster that involves the risk of death or bodily harm to a person. 
2. Over a public event where there is a heightened risk to the safety of participants or bystanders.
3. To counter the risk of a terrorist attack by a specific individual or organization if the agency determines that credible intelligence indicates a risk.
4. To prevent the loss of life or property in natural or man-made disasters and to facilitate operation planning, rescue, and recovery operations.
5. To conduct a threat assessment in anticipation of a specific event.
6. To collect information from a public area if there is reasonable suspicion of criminal activity.
7. To collect information for crash reconstruction purposes after a serious or deadly collision occurring on a public road.
8. Over a public area for officer training or public relations purposes.
9. For purposes unrelated to law enforcement at the request of a government entity, provided the request is in writing and specifies the reason for the request and a proposed period of use.

8. How much do they cost?

The implementation of our UAS program with a DJI Matrice M30T UAS costs $20,042.00. That includes the UAS, the remote controller, spotlight, loudspeaker, and a full set of batteries (this was the lowest price among five vendors we researched). In contrast, manned aviation can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars per hour. A UAS can fly much lower than a traditional manned helicopter and has the added benefit of being much quieter so as to not disturb residents. Many other law enforcement agencies have demonstrated how a UAS is a practical, cost effective alternative to manned aviation.

9. What restrictions are in place to protect citizen’s civil liberties and privacy concerns?

Historically, law enforcement has had the ability to have an aerial view with manned aircraft for many decades. As a result, case law has been established that guides our use of the aircraft. There is no effort here to somehow use the UAS to circumvent well established 4^th Amendment protections. The technology in the UAS is appropriately limited. For example, the equipment does not allow us to see through walls, listen to conversations, monitor cell phones, etc. The unmanned systems are mission and incident driven only. It will not be used for arbitrary surveillance. Images collected with the use of this technology are handled and retained within public safety standards, consisted with images collected with any camera by law enforcement and are subject to professional standards, codes of conduct, case law, and with the public’s trust in mind.

10. Can you legally fly over my property?

Yes. The Blaine Police Department UAS team can legally fly over your property with the same guidelines that apply to manned aviation. We are bound by federal law and the laws of the State of Minnesota that direct the use of UAS as it relates to the privacy of citizens.

11. Does the UAS carry weapons?

No. Our policy prohibits our UAS from being equipped with weapons of any sort. The attachable accessories we use include a spotlight, loudspeaker, and lighting.

12. Can the UAS be hacked with the controls taken over by someone else?

No. The control data that travels through the air is encrypted. In addition, safeguards are in place so that if the technology fails, the aircraft either automatically returns to the original point of take-off for landing, or slowly descends to the ground to land safely.

13. Can the Blaine Police Department be hired by a resident or business to fly the systems for commercial use?

No. This would violate our flight approvals from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

14. Can citizens buy their own UAS and fly them?

Yes. As long as they follow the appropriate FAA regulations. There are airspace restrictions in our area due to the Anoka County-Blaine Airport (Janes Field).

15. Will my privacy be impacted?

No, your privacy will not be impacted. Maintaining an individual’s privacy and protecting the civil liberties of all persons is of paramount importance to the Blaine Police Department. We are bound by federal law and the laws of the State of Minnesota that direct the use of UAS as it relates to the privacy of citizens. Again, our UAS will not be used for arbitrary surveillance and must comply with all federal regulations and laws.