Drone Program (sUAS)

Small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS), commonly referred to as drones, enable police departments to quickly find lost and missing people, de-escalate situations and utilize time, distance and shielding to reduce Use of Force encounters and optimize community and officer safety.

City Council authorized the Ridgefield Police Department (RPD) to operate sUAS by adopting Resolution no. 646, Ridgefield Police Department Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Policy 09.13, on April 11, 2024. 

Purpose

The small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS) program is designed to provide aerial observations during law enforcement incidents involving the Ridgefield Police Department in circumstances that would save life and property, as well as other operational needs such as:

  • Search and rescue involving missing or endangered persons
  • Collision Investigations
  • Major crime investigations
  • High risk incidents / calls
  • Over-watch for high-risk traffic stops / warrant service
  • Community demonstrations
  • Natural Disasters
Sergeant Marvitz operates one of the department's drones above the the police department lot.

RPD’s sUAS Devices

Ridgefield Police Department currently utilizes two sUAS devices. 

DJI M30T

RPD's larger outdoor drone, the DJI M30T.

  1. DJI M30T – For Outdoor Use
    1. Can be flown day or night through wind and rain
    2. Powerful zoom camera
    3. Thermal camera able to provide high quality views at night and detect heat signatures
    4. Equipped with microphone/spotlight for commands and illumination
    5. Ability to take high quality pictures and videos

DJI Avata

The DJI Avata drone which is a smaller indoor drone.

  1. DJI Avata – For Indoor Use
    1. Highly maneuverable
    2. Fit into tight spaces
    3. Equipped with camera
    4. Ability to take high quality pictures and videos

Compliance

The sUAS will be used in a constitutionally and legally sound manner by trained and certified personnel, to conduct operations, search and rescue, and investigations.

Application of the sUAS will be in accordance with City, State and Federal Law, to include constitutional privacy rights, search and seizure regulations and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations.

The use of sUAS will also be conducted in accordance with the following policies:

The Ridgefield Police Department shall be mindful of the individual privacy rights and absent a warrant or exigent circumstances shall not intentionally record or transmit images in any location where a person would have a reasonable expectation of privacy.

Training

The sUAS system will be operated only by personnel who have been trained and certified in the operation of the system and are FAA Certified Remote Pilots. 

Training will include:

  • Agency Approved Training Course
  • Certification under FAA Part 107
  • Completion of 8 hours of flight training with a current sUAS instructor

All pilots will maintain proficiency with their assigned sUAS system and will maintain knowledge of all pertinent FAA regulations, local, state, and federal laws, and any policies and procedures for the sUAS operation. All pilots will document at least 8 hours of flight time per year.

Documents