title
CC - (1) Review and Discuss the Police and Fire Department’s Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Mid-Pilot Program Report and Citizen Advisory Panel; and (2) Direction to the Police Chief as Deemed Appropriate.
body
Meeting Date: December 9, 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 (12/03/19); Culver City News Publication Notification (11/28/19) and Notice of Publication (12/05/19)
Department Approval: Scott Bixby, Police Chief (11/20/19)
_____________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council (1) Review and discuss the Police and Fire Departments’ Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) mid-pilot program report and citizen advisory panel; and (2) provide direction to the Police Chief as deemed appropriate.
BACKGROUND
On January 28th, 2019, Police and Fire staff presented the Culver City Police and Fire Departments’ 18-month UAV pilot program to City Council. At that meeting, staff was requested by Council to report back after researching police oversight and advisory committees, and to provide Council with a mid-pilot program report at the halfway point of the UAV pilot program.
On June 10th, 2019, Police and Fire staff reported back to City Council on the results of research into several different types of oversight bodies related to UAV programs and otherwise. At that meeting, Council directed staff to work with the City’s Ad Hoc Equity Subcommittee to further discuss a police advisory committee and/or police oversight.
DISCUSSION
Chief’s Advisory Panel
On September 26th, 2019, Police Department staff, along with Chief Scott Bixby, met with the City Council Ad Hoc Equity Subcommittee (Mayor Sahli-Wells and Councilmember Lee) and had a discussion related to a police advisory committee. From that meeting, the decision was made to form a Police Chief’s Advisory Panel. The purpose of this panel is to advise the Police Chief on Police Department’s proposed new policies, procedures, programs, equipment and/or recommended revisions to same. Meetings with the Chief will be scheduled on a monthly or as needed basis. The panel will be encouraged to bring police related community concerns and issues to the Chief, help organize community meetings, and more.
The panel will be a diverse representation of our Culver City community, including adults, as well as young adults over the age of 16 who will be selected by Culver City Unified School District (CCUSD) staff from Culver City Schools. Young adults from the Culver City Police Department Explorer Program may also participate. CCPD staff is currently working with Mily Huntley, the City’s Equity Manager, to recruit for, and form the panel.
Summary of Mid-Pilot Program Report
The Police and Fire Departments began the UAV pilot program in February of 2019. Since then, there have been a total of 24 deployments. See the below table for further information: 
It is important to point out that 14 of the 24 deployments were outside of Culver City. These deployments were either related to a crime that occurred in Culver City or a request for assistance from another police agency.
The below table gives an overview of the overtime and equipment costs of the program:
Currently, there are sixteen trained and licensed pilots, four of which are supervisors. The total cost for training materials, training classes, and testing costs has been approximately $6,119.31. There have been a total of 9 training days (197.45 hours) since the start of the pilot program. The total overtime costs have been $21,418.04, $16,545.25 of which was related to training. This cost was anticipated, as a significant amount of training was required to both license and teach the pilots how to fly the UAVs. The other $4,180.90 (53 hours) in overtime costs were incurred due to either a call-in of personnel or an extension of normal duty related to an emergency incident. The overtime costs for the second half of the pilot program are anticipated to be lower, as less training will be required.
The initial purchase price of the UAVs plus some additional supplies was approximately $79,567.46. This included a total of eight UAVs: four DJI Phantom 4, two Sparks, and two Matrice 210 models. Also included in the initial purchase price were batteries, cameras, service plans for some of the UAVs, and other supporting equipment. An additional $6,119.31 was spent on training materials, training classes, and FAA licensing fees.
Two UAVs were damaged in training incidents. In the first incident, a UAV lost power during a test flight and fell several feet onto the roof of the Police Department due to an equipment malfunction. The second UAV was damaged when it collided with a power pole guide wire due to pilot error. Both UAVs were under warranty and repaired by the manufacturer at no cost. There have not been any accidents or UAVs damaged during field deployments. Additionally, the Police and Fire Departments have not received a complaint related to any of our 24 deployments.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
None
ATTACHMENTS
1. 2019-12-09_ATT - The Culver City Police and Fire Departments Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (Drone) Mid-Pilot Program Report
2. 2019-12-09_ATT - Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) Operations Policy
MOTION
That the City Council:
1. Review and Discuss the Police and Fire Department’s Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Mid-Pilot Program Report and Citizen Advisory Panel; and
2. Provide Direction to the Police Chief as Deemed Appropriate.