- Drones are being used by law enforcement agencies across the U.S. and the world for various tasks, such as reconnaissance, surveillance, search and rescue, crime scene investigation, and emergency response.
- They have already been put to many nefarious uses, from smuggling contraband into prisons to swarming FBI agents preparing for a raid. There has also been friction between police services, civil aviation authorities and regulatory bodies that monitor privacy.
- The main concern is that drones, flown by either the police or the public, could unintentionally capture footage of people going about their normal life.
- Law enforcement agencies deployed drones to monitor community events like the recent Fourth July Celebrations, but laws are not yet in place to prevent potential abuses of police power. These powerful drones can have cameras, break through glass, open doors, and fly into buildings, allowing contact with hostages.
- Up to 2021, 44 states will have drone legislation or resolutions, but since they all have their own rules and laws, certain police departments will have more access. Only 15 states, with exceptions for extraordinary or unusual circumstances, demand a warrant before using drones.
- Chief Judge Roger Gregory compares the AIR program to 21st-century broad searches without the necessity for justification in order to make the case that uncontrolled police power is incompatible with Fourth Amendment ideals.
- There are different types of police drones currently in use such as Inspire I V2.0 + Zenmuse XT. According to an MSN report, laws aren’t keeping up with the increase in police usage of sophisticated drones.
- In addition, Drone use by police may be viewed as an intrusive kind of surveillance, which is a disadvantage. Concerns exist over the misuse of this technology as well, including the possibility of using drones to target particular neighborhoods and infringe people’s privacy.
