Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), also known as drones, help police from the air. They make things safer for both the community and emergency responders, and they can help defuse dangerous situations.

Police office holding a controller for a drone, the drone flies overhead in the background.

The City of Bend Police Department currently uses 15 drones in the field. These systems allow them to respond to incidents 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and sometimes even to more than one incident at once. We have different types of drones with specific features and tools for jobs like mapping crime scenes, searching for missing people, and clearing buildings. They also come in several sizes, which helps with tasks like flying for longer periods or flying inside buildings.

Ways We Use Drones

Our Department uses drones to give officers important information during emergencies and criminal investigations. For example, drones can show a bird’s-eye view of a car crash, help check inside a building during a burglary call, record details of a crime scene, and search large areas for missing people. Drones may also be used during a search warrant, but only if a judge gives permission.

Oregon law does not allow police to use drones for general surveillance without a reason. Officers must have a clear and specific purpose each time a drone is used.

Drone in Action

The following video shows a chase on foot that happened at night in Bend after a criminal mischief incident. The drone helped keep everyone safer by making it possible to plan the suspect’s arrest while minimizing the risk to responders.

Drone Operators

The Bend Police Department has 10 drone operators, two team leaders, and a program manager. All operators have: passed their FAA Part 107 license, attended a basic UAS school, and passed the NIST UAS flight standard.

Guidelines

Contacts