The Portland Police Bureau (PPB) uses Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS or drones) to document crime and crash scenes, monitor critical incidents from a distance, assist with search and rescue, and provide evidence of crimes. This advanced technology helps de-escalate tense situations, inform law enforcement decisions, and increase safety for officers, involved parties, and the public. Additionally, drones reduce the time spent on documentation, minimizing inconvenience to the public.
PPB’s drones are either exact or slightly modified versions of commercially available models, all clearly marked with the City of Portland or Portland Police logo. All operators are licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and adhere strictly to UAS laws.
Expansion of the Program
On September 4, 2024, the Portland City Council unanimously approved the expansion of PPB’s drone program, following a successful year-long pilot. The council authorized the use of $98,000 for additional equipment and training to extend the program to all PPB precincts and shifts. This expansion allows for broader use cases that align with Oregon state law.
The City Council decision followed a presentation by Sergeant Jim DeFrain, who summarized the pilot project, lessons learned, and recommendations for the future. The presentation also included example videos showing effective law enforcement drone use.
Chief Bob Day expressed gratitude to the council for supporting the program, emphasizing that it aligns with state law while enhancing the Bureau's ability to address public safety quickly and effectively. "The new policy will increase efficiency and allow us to resolve incidents more quickly, safer, with less risk to the public and the officers," said Chief Day.
The expansion of the drone program will allow for broader applications, including:
- Assisting in stolen vehicle recoveries and street racing interdictions
- Supporting Detective Division investigations, particularly in documenting outdoor crime scenes
- Enhancing Search and Rescue Operations
- Providing immediate disaster response support
Goals of the UAS Program:
- Protect the lives and property of community members and first responders.
- Reduce the time spent investigating serious injury crashes, improving traffic congestion.
- De-escalate situations and reduce the need for force during tactical incidents.
- Improve the overall safety and efficiency of police operations through technology.
- Prioritize safety and privacy in all operations.
Open Data
PPB maintains a public dashboard to promote transparency in drone use. The dashboard includes an interactive map allowing users to filter drone flight data by call type and mission, offering insight into how often and for what purpose drones are deployed. The dashboard is updated on the 15th of each month.
Background
PPB's drone program was launched as a pilot project in 2023. During the pilot, the Bureau worked closely with the Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability, Bureau of Equity and Human Rights, and Smart City PDX to ensure that the program maximized transparency, equity, and privacy. A Privacy Impact Assessment was released before the launch, ensuring compliance with local and state regulations.
During the pilot, drones were deployed to document major crash scenes, investigate explosive devices, and assist with tactical events. The program also reduced the need for direct officer involvement in high-risk situations, enhancing both public and officer safety.
Applicable Laws and Standard Operating Procedure
The Portland Police Bureau will adhere to ORS 837 Unmanned Aircraft Systems as well as its own Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). The following activities are prohibited under these guidelines:
- Conducting random or indiscriminate mass surveillance activities
- Targeting a person based solely on individual characteristics, such as, but not limited to race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, disability, economic source or status, housing status, gender, or sexual orientation
- Harassing, intimidating, or discriminating against any individual or group
- Conducting personal business of any type
- Using drones for crowd control or crowd management, unless a life safety critical incident occurs
- Weaponizing the sUAS (ORS 837.365)
- Additionally, Portland Police Bureau's drones will not be used in conjunction with any type of facial recognition technology.
Pursuant to ORS 837.362:
- Evidence data obtained by a UAS will be retained pursuant to OAR 166-150-0135.
- Portland Police Bureau does not store evidence data obtained by a UAS in third party storage.
- Portland Police Bureau does not have intergovernmental agreements regarding disclosure of data.
Policies and Procedures:
The City is required to establish and publish policies and procedures for use, storage, access, sharing and retention of all data collected by a UAS.
- Portland Police Bureau Investigations Branch UAS Policy
- ORS 192.345: Public records conditionally exempt from disclosure.
- ORS 837.362: Policies and procedures for the use of data.
Moving Forward
The expansion of the UAS program will allow PPB to respond more quickly and efficiently to critical incidents. The training and certification of additional drone pilots will improve PPB's ability to support city-wide missions, including watershed surveys, disaster site evaluations, and bridge inspections.
Contact Information
For more information about PPB’s UAS operations or to provide feedback, contact us at:
UAS@police.portlandoregon.gov