Agenda - Council - 01/13/2026 - Laserfiche WebLink

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• Maintains training records for all pilots and observers, including Part 107, BVLOS, night operations, and emergency procedures. • Developing a uniform protocol for submission and evaluation of requests to deploy a UAS, including urgent requests made during ongoing or emerging incidents, and real-time dispatch integration (e.g., DFR), and emergency response triggers. • Ensures all investigative UAS use is documented with legal justification, case number, written report, date/time/location info for each deployment. • Maintains SOPs for all flight operations, including lost link, RTH, and coordination with ATC towers. • Developing a protocol for fully documenting all missions. • Developing a UAS inspection, maintenance, and record -keeping protocol to ensure continuing airworthiness of a UAS, up to and including its overhaul or life limits. • Developing protocols with the Records Supervisor to ensure evidentiary data complies with CJIS and state retention laws. • Recommending program enhancements, particularly regarding safety and information security. • Ensuring that established protocols are followed by monitoring and providing periodic reports on the program to the Chief of Police. • The Program Coordinator shall conduct audits of BVLOS operations. • Developing protocols for reviewing and approving requests for use of the office UAS by government entities (Minn. Stat. § 626.19). • Preparing and submitting the required annual report to the Commissioner of Public Safety (Minn. Stat. § 626.19). • Posting the department policies and procedures regarding the use of UAV on the department website, as applicable (Minn. Stat. § 626.19). • Reviewing the program and UAS use for compliance with Minn. Stat. § 626.19. 804.05 USE OF UAS • Only authorized operators who have completed the required training shall be permitted to operate the UAS. • UAS operations should only be conducted consistent with FAA regulations. • The use of a visual observer is encouraged whenever possible. • The use of vision enhancement technology (e.g., thermal and other imaging equipment not generally available to the public) is permissible in viewing areas only when there is no protectable privacy interest or when in compliance with a search warrant or court order. In all other instances, legal counsel should be consulted. Members shall not use a UAS without a search warrant, except (Minn. Stat. § 626.19): (1) during or in the aftermath of an emergency situation that involves the risk of death or bodily harm to a person; (2) to document evidence that is at imminent risk of destruction; (3) over a public event where there is a heightened risk to the safety of participants or bystanders; (4) to counter the risk of a terrorist attack by a specific individual or organization if the agency determines that credible intelligence indicates a risk; (5) to prevent the loss of life and property in natural or man-made disasters and to facilitate operational planning, rescue, and recovery operations in the aftermath of these disasters; (6) to conduct a threat assessment in anticipation of a specific event; (7) to collect information from a public area if there is reasonable suspicion of criminal activity; Policy 804 Page 2 of 3