Aerial drones have become a popular tool for police departments across the country over the past five years.
Drones have been used in domestic policing around the world since the mid-2000s. Drones are equipped with cameras that can be used for surveillance.
According to the Pilot Institute, the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA)’s release of the Part 107 regulations in 2016 provided a legal framework for drone use by professionals, firms and agencies, and police began acquiring drones in record numbers in 2017.
Some police claim drones are uniquely suited for search and rescue operations, gathering tactical intelligence in hostage and active shooter situations, documenting crime scenes and performing crowd control.
But this developing form of aerial surveillance has also brought about controversy, with critics citing concerns about privacy and government overreach.
In an article for the Electronic Frontier Foundation written in January, Matthew Guariglia said he expects more law enforcement agencies to deploy drones as time goes on, especially with COVID-19 relief money, funds from civil asset forfeiture, federal grants and military surplus transfers giving them the financial capacity to purchase them.
Do police have drones in Alabama?
According to a study by Bard College, as of 2020, Alabama was tied with New York and Minnesota as having the ninth most public safety drones in the country.
In that study, Alabama totaled 47 drones. Some of these were in the possession of fire departments, but most belonged to local police.
These included:
The University of Alabama in Huntsville Police Department (one drone as of 2013)
Talladega County Sheriff’s Office (one drone as of 2017)
Southside Police Department (one drone as of 2019)
Shelby County Sheriff’s Office (two drones as of 2019)
Selma Police Department (four drones as of 2014)
Russellville Police Department (one drone as of 2016)
Russell County Sheriff’s Office (one drone as of 2014)
Rainbow City Police Department (one drone as of 2017)
Priceville Police Department (one drone as of 2016)
Pelham Police Department (two drones as of 2017)
North Baldwin Sheriff’s Office (one drone as of 2017)
Mountain Brook Police Department (one drone as of 2019)
Montgomery Police Department (one drone as of 2016)
Mobile Police Department (one drone as of 2016)
Mobile County Sheriff’s Office (one drone as of 2018)
Limestone County Sheriff’s Office (one drone as of 2016)
Lee County Sheriff’s Office (one drone as of 2016)
Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office (one drone as of 2016)
Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office (one drone as of 2015)
Huntsville Police Department (two drones as of 2019)
Houston County Sheriff’s Office (four drones as of 2016)
Hoover Police Department (one drone as of 2016)
Henry County Sheriff’s Office (one drone as of 2016)
Gadsden Police Department (one drone as of 2010)
Etowah County Sheriff’s Office (one drone as of 2016)
Daphne Police Department (one drone as of 2020)
Dallas County Sheriff’s Office (one drone as of 2016)
Dale County Sheriff’s Office (one drone as of 2016)
Cullman Police Department (two drones as of 2015)
Coffee County Sheriff’s Office (one drone as of 2016)
Clanton Police Department (one drone as of 2017)
Arab Police Department (one drone, date not specified)
Alabaster Police Department (one drone as of 2018)
Axon Roadshow made an appearance at the Birmingham Police Department (BPD) on Tuesday to demo Axon’s latest police technology, including virtual reality, tasers and body cameras, but also autonomous drones.
According to reports, the BPD used drones during the World Games.
BPD Public Relations Manager Keaira Turner said the BPD did not purchase any new drones.
“As far as BPD purchasing new technology, the drones will not be a part of that,” Turner said in a statement to 1819 News. “Currently, the Birmingham Police Department utilizes Axon products that feature our latest versions of body cameras and tasers. The only addition of new technology that we are looking to implement will be license plate readers to our fleets that will be added later in the year. Once that information is available, we will be able to provide more details.”
According to Forensic Magazine, Huntsville Police Department (HPD) started a new drone program. In 2021, HPD flew drones for a total of 273 hours. As of April 2022, the police department had 18 drones in total.
In April, the Tuscaloosa Sheriff’s Department replaced its helicopter unit with drones, according to reports.
Gulf Shore Police Department (GSPD) purchased two drones for around $31,500 in August, which they hope will assist them in managing large crowds at events like Hangout Music Festival and the National Shrimp Festival.
The rules around drone usage are tricky. There are currently no rules about drone usage in Alabama.
According to UAV Coach, government employees flying drones in Alabama must abide by federal law and either operate under the Part 107 rule or obtain a federal Certificate of Authorization.
To follow FAA rule 107, pilots must pass a knowledge test and register drones through the FAA.
Even more tricky is the issue of whether or not police have to obtain warrants to collect evidence with drones.
In 2019, the U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) ruled in Florida v. Riley that police do not need a warrant to observe private property from public airspace. This only pertains to drones flying a certain altitude above a person’s private property, not into it.
To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email will.blakely@1819news.com or find him on Twitter and Facebook.
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