Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Carlos G. Bolanos, Sheriff
Subject: Sheriff's Office Unmanned Aerial Systems Program
RECOMMENDATION:
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Informational report related to the implementation of an Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) program in the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office.
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BACKGROUND:
Over the last year, the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office has been researching the feasibility of creating a UAS program, commonly known as a drone program. Unmanned Aerial Systems have become a proven and widely used tool in law enforcement agencies throughout the country. They provide agencies with new capabilities that are beneficial in a variety of situations including search and rescue missions, active shooter situations, accident reconstruction, 3D mapping, and scene over watch. A UAS is not a replacement for a helicopter or an airplane. It can, however, provide advanced capabilities in a manner that is safer and more cost-effective than a helicopter or airplane.
The Sheriff's Office is in the process of implementing a UAS program. The UAS program will be comprised of a Sheriff's Sergeant and four Deputy Sheriffs who will be trained and certified through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Each deputy in the UAS Unit will be assigned a UAS that will be kept with them while on-duty. This service model is very similar to our Canine Unit. The UAS deputies will be assigned a regular shift; however, they will have the added responsibility of piloting the UAS when called upon. This model ensures that there will be a UAS available in the field when one is needed.
DISCUSSION:
The equipment portion of this project will include, at a minimum, six UAS units with two camera systems and a forward-looking infrared (FLIR). FLIR is especially effective during night deployments as it senses infrared radiation from a heat source. The UAS will include spotlights, along with speakers, w...
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