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CC - (1) Discussion of the Culver City Police and Fire Department’s Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Policy, 18- Month Pilot Program and Citizen Advisory Committee; and (2) Direction to the Police Chief as Deemed Appropriate
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Meeting Date: June 10, 2019
Contact Person/Dept: Captain Jason Sims/Police Department
Phone Number: (310) 253-6391
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No []
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: [X]
Commission Action Required: Yes [] No []
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (06/05/19)
Department Approval: Scott Bixby, Police Chief (05/02/19)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council (1) Discuss the Police and Fire Department’s Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Policy, 18-month pilot program and citizen advisory committee; and (2) provide direction to the Police Chief as deemed appropriate.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
On January 28th, 2019, Police and Fire staff presented the Culver City Police and Fire Departments’ 18-month UAV pilot program to Council. At that meeting, staff was requested by Council to report back to Council on the following items:
1. The results of a poll of some surrounding Law Enforcement agencies regarding whether or not they have UAV program civilian oversight.
2. The Culver City Police Department and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s (LASD) policies on the retention of video and evidence related to Officer Involved Shootings (OIS).
3. Changes to the Police and Fire Department’s UAV policy.
4. How we will measure the success of the 18 month pilot program.
Polling of Other Agencies
Staff polled several local Law Enforcement agencies in the area including: the Redondo Beach Police Department, Torrance Police Department, Beverly Hills Police Department, Santa Monica Police Department, El Segundo Police Department, Palos Verdes Estates Police Department, and the Los Angeles Police Department. The results of the poll are depicted in the below table:
|
Police Department |
UAV Oversight Y/N |
Additional Information |
|
Redondo Beach |
NO |
Sought input from Community Engagement Board |
|
Torrance |
NO |
N/A |
|
Beverly Hills |
NO |
Sought input from Chief’s Advisory Panel |
|
Santa Monica |
NO |
N/A |
|
El Segundo |
NO |
N/A |
|
Palos Verdes Estates |
NO |
N/A |
|
Los Angeles Sheriff |
NO |
Sought input from a Civilian Advisory Committee |
|
Los Angeles |
*YES |
Police Commission |
Of the agencies polled, the Los Angeles Police Department was the only agency with any type of civilian oversight related to a UAV program. The Los Angeles Police Commission oversees all policy and operating procedures of the Los Angeles Police Department, including those related to their UAV program. All the other agencies polled either had no civilian oversight or had consulted with an advisory or community committee/board for input on their program. None of the eight agencies that were polled has any type of civilian oversight related specifically to surveillance and/or monitoring or reviewing video captured by their UAV respective programs.
Suggested Changes to the UAV Policy
At the January 28th, 2019 Council meeting, several suggested policy changes were made by City Council and members of the public. The following language was added to the UAV policy:
• No non-lethal weapons will be attached to the UAVs (608.5);
• The UAVs will not be used to target anyone based on political affiliation (608.5);
• The UAVs will not be used outside of the manufacturers specifications (608.5);
• The video will not be used to ridicule anyone (608.12.4); and
• One-week notice will be given before UAV training in Culver City (608.6.2a).
See the attached Policy for further details.
Measuring Success
Throughout the life of the 18-month pilot program, the Police Department will collect copious amounts of information, including, but not limited to:
• Number, reason, location, and outcome of all deployments;
• Any negative interactions with the UAVs;
• All complaints related to the program; and
• Repair and operating costs.
At the half-way point (nine months) and conclusion of the pilot program (18 months), the Police and Fire Departments will report back to City Council on the success of the program. The above listed information will be used to measure whether or not the program was a success and what, if any, changes should be made to the UAV policy and program.
Officer Involved Shootings (OIS)
The LASD investigates the Culver City Police Department’s OISs. LASD’s policy is to retain OIS files, including all video, indefinitely. The Culver City Police Department will also retain all video and reports related to an OIS indefinitely. Police personnel are currently working with City staff to make changes to the City’s Master Records Retention Schedule, as it currently states that the Police Department shall retain video related to an OIS for at least two years.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
None
ATTACHMENTS
1. 2019-05-28- ATT Unmanned Aerial Vehicle General Order 2019-01
MOTION
That the City Council:
1. Discuss the Police and Fire Department’s Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Policy, 18-month pilot program and citizen advisory committee; and
2. Provide direction to the Police Chief as deemed appropriate.