The Santa Fe Police Department is proud to announce the initiation of an innovative Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Program, designed to bolster public safety in the community. This initiative will employ state-of-the-art drone technology to assist officers in their duties, while honoring the privacy rights of Santa Fe's citizens. The program includes a fleet of five advanced drones, operated by a team of six trained pilots, who are required to be certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The program will be managed by a UAS Commander, ensuring strict adherence to department policy and best practices.
"This new program enables us to enhance public safety through cutting-edge technology, allowing us to better serve the community as well as making certain situations safer for police officers" said Santa Fe Police Department Deputy Chief of Police Matthew Champlin. "It signifies our commitment to modernizing our operations in a manner that prioritizes our community’s safety and security."
The drones will be used in a variety of safety operations, including search and rescue missions, crime scene investigation, and critical incident response. The drones will not be used to invade the privacy of our citizens. The Santa Fe Police Department has developed a comprehensive policy framework, detailing clear guidelines and protocols for the use of drones. The policy emphasizes respect for citizens' privacy and civil rights and focuses on maintaining transparency and accountability.
"Our policy ensures the drones will be used responsibly, with due consideration for the privacy and civil rights of our citizens," said Deputy Chief of Police Matthew Champlin. "We recognize the importance of transparency and will share updates about the program with the public on a regular basis." The police department plans on integrating drone flight information into the department’s webpage at later date to ensure public awareness.
As the Santa Fe Police Department embarks on this new initiative, it invites community members to share their thoughts and questions. By fostering an open dialogue, the department hopes to create a shared understanding of the ways in which this technology can be utilized to benefit the community while maintaining the utmost respect for individual privacy. If members of the community would like to see the drones, they will be present at the National Night Out event held at the Santa Fe Place Mall on August 1st from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.