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Las Vegas police hold briefing on drone technology use

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  Published in Science and Technology on Wednesday, September 10th 2025 at 17:33 GMT by Las Vegas Review-Journal
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Las Vegas Police Department Opens New Drone‑Use Program: A Detailed Briefing on Policy, Practice, and Privacy

On March 27, 2024, the Las Vegas Police Department (LVPD) convened a comprehensive briefing to unveil its new Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) policy. The event, held in the department’s Tactical Operations training wing, was attended by senior officers, local officials, and a representative from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The goal was to lay out the framework under which the LVPD will incorporate drones into its daily policing duties, while addressing legal, operational, and privacy concerns that have accompanied the growing popularity of aerial surveillance.

1. Why Drones?

The LVPD’s decision to expand drone use follows an uptick in public‑service operations that benefit from aerial perspectives. The briefing highlighted several areas where drones can add tangible value:

• Crime Scene Documentation – High‑resolution 4K footage and thermal imaging can capture crime scenes more comprehensively than ground‑level photographs.
• Missing‑Persons and Search‑and‑Rescue – Over‑head sweeps of large geographic areas are far faster than traditional ground patrols.
• Crowd Monitoring – For large events on the Strip or downtown, drones can identify potential safety hazards or illicit activity before it escalates.
• Traffic Enforcement – Real‑time video can help officers spot reckless driving or illegal street racing.
• Disaster Response – After incidents like wildfires or flooding, drones can assess damage and guide emergency resources.

“Drones are no longer a novelty; they’re a force multiplier,” said Police Chief David Crouch in his opening remarks. “By formalizing their use, we can make the LVPD safer, more efficient, and better equipped to serve our citizens.”

2. The New Policy

A copy of the department’s “Use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) Policy” was distributed to attendees and posted on the LVPD website (link: https://www.lvp.org/Portals/8/Policies/DronePolicy2024.pdf). The policy is built around several key components:

Chief Crouch emphasized that the policy is “dynamic.” The LVPD will review it annually and adjust it as FAA regulations evolve and as new technology arrives.

3. Technical Demonstration

During the briefing, a DJI Mavic 2 Enterprise Advanced drone was showcased. The demonstrator, an officer from Tactical Operations, explained the UAV’s features:

• 4K Video and 12‑MP Photographs – For detailed scene capture.
• Thermal Imaging – Detects heat signatures, useful for locating missing people or identifying potential fire hazards.
• Spotlight & Megaphone – Tactical tools that can be deployed in public safety situations.
• Long‑Range Control – Operators can fly up to 10 kilometers, providing broader coverage.

The demonstrator highlighted the ease of setting up flight paths via a tablet, noting that the UAV can autonomously return to base if battery levels drop below a threshold.

4. Legal Considerations

A special segment of the briefing was devoted to addressing the legal landscape surrounding drone usage. A guest speaker from the Nevada Department of Public Safety provided context on how state and federal law intersect:

• Fourth Amendment – The speaker stressed that any aerial monitoring over private property must either be conducted with property owner permission or under a valid warrant. Officers will keep a log of every flight that potentially infringes on privacy, detailing the purpose and the steps taken to secure a warrant if needed.
• FAA Regulations – The FAA’s Part 107 requires operators to maintain line‑of‑sight unless a waiver is granted. The LVPD will pursue waivers for over‑the‑person flight, but will limit such operations to strictly necessary cases (e.g., large search and rescue missions).
• Nevada Public Records Act – All data captured by drones that could be requested in a public records inquiry will be disclosed in a timely manner, consistent with state law.

The briefing also addressed the city’s own Ordinance #2024‑06, which requires all law‑enforcement agencies to submit an annual report on UAV usage, including flight logs and data retention policies. The LVPD’s new policy will automatically feed into that reporting structure.

5. Community Engagement

In an effort to maintain public trust, the LVPD announced the formation of a “Drone Transparency Committee.” The committee will meet quarterly and will be open to community members, civil‑liberties advocates, and city officials. Its mandate will be to:

• Review and approve new UAV missions.
• Provide quarterly reports on the number of flights, the nature of data captured, and the percentage of flights that required warrants.
• Hold public Q&A sessions at the police headquarters.

“We’re aware that drones can raise privacy concerns,” said Police Deputy Chief Sandra Ortiz. “By giving the community a seat at the table, we hope to build confidence that we’re using these tools responsibly.”

6. Next Steps

The LVPD’s policy is effective immediately, but the full operational rollout will be phased:

1. Certification & Training – 25 officers will complete the UAV training course by June 2024.
2. Pilot Program – A 90‑day pilot will test drones in selected scenarios: traffic enforcement on the Strip and a high‑profile missing‑person case in the Henderson area.
3. Full Deployment – Based on pilot results, the UAV squad will expand to 50 certified operators by year‑end 2024.

The briefing concluded with a commitment from Chief Crouch to keep the public updated on progress. “This isn’t a secret program,” he said. “It’s a new tool that will enhance public safety, and we’ll keep you informed every step of the way.”

In Summary

The LVPD’s March briefing marked a pivotal moment for policing in Las Vegas. By establishing a clear policy, ensuring FAA compliance, addressing Fourth Amendment concerns, and inviting community oversight, the department has set a framework for responsible drone usage. As the program evolves, all stakeholders will be watching closely to see how aerial technology reshapes the way law enforcement protects and serves the city’s residents.