Palm Springs Police Department set to add drone to inventory of military equipment

The Palm Springs Police Department is updating its inventory of military equipment following the recent adoption of a new policy by The Palm Springs City Council.

The Council unanimously approved the department's purchase of a $35,161 drone.

A September 29, 2022 report by Interim City Manager Teresa Gallavan to The Council explained that “unmanned aerial systems have become an essential part of public safety operations nationwide.”

The Palm Springs Police Department plans to use the drone to locate lost hikers in mountain or desert terrain, and to monitor large-scale special events, including parades. 

"Any use of the UAS will be in strict accordance with constitutionally protected privacy and associational rights and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations," according to a Council report.

The Department has created a policy that addresses privacy considerations related to UAS deployment and prohibited uses of the device.