The Impact of DJI Drones in Law Enforcement Today

Introducing DJI Drones to the Law Enforcement Community

Across the United States, law enforcement agencies are increasingly using small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), or drones, in routine policing activities. By the end of 2019, there were 930 law enforcement agencies operating some 1,770 police drones across the country (up from just three drone-using police departments in 2015). In fact, Industry North America Incorporated found that local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies collectively operated 93 percent of all police drones in the United States. Those law enforcement agencies’ reported uses of police drones have included both traditional law enforcement work and disaster response, including responding to the deadly 2018 Camp Fire in California (the deadliest wildfire in state history).
Many police departments favor DJI drones due to their functionality, ease of use, and available at low price points. Specifically , DJI provides a wide array of affordable drone models with still and video camera functionality. The DJI Phantom 4 RTK drone, for example, contains a 20 megapixel camera with a mechanical shutter that is perfect for surveying or mapping activities. Even the less expensive Phantom 4 Standard comes with a 12 megapixel camera with a mechanical shutter. Alternatively, the Mavic Pro Platinum, which has similar capabilities to the Phantom 4 RTK, even folds up for easy transport.
Some police agencies additionally report that they prefer commercial drone models over larger military drones for their portability, comparatively lightweight design, and ability to capture higher resolution images. According to CNET, for example, police drones typically weigh between two and four pounds and can go commercial off the shelf (COTS) prices can be as low as $500. In comparison, military drones, like the General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper, weigh 24X more (or roughly 1,000 pounds) and cost more than $10 million.

Notable Features of DJI Law Enforcement Drones

DJI has focused on the law enforcement sector, releasing three drone models that have been specifically designed for police work. Each of these models is equipped with cutting-edge technology to allow police and military personnel to carry out sensitive operations with nothing more than a handheld controller and an internet connection. These three drones – the Phantom 4 RTK, the Matrice 20 Duo, and the Zenmuse H20 series – are outfitted with the latest in surveillance technology, including a number of powerful sensors, cameras, thermal imaging tools, and reach capabilities.
The DJI Phantom 4 RTK is equipped with a custom-built low-distortion lens and a new image sensor. This helps to make the 4 RTK one of the most precise GPS drones on the market, allowing it to accurately survey any location. The 4 RTK also comes preinstalled with a Ground Station Pro (GSP), allowing users to quickly and easily create 3D mapped areas, 2D orthomosaic maps, and digital elevation models (DEMs). Also making mapping faster and easier to do is the new integrated RTK antenna as well as a new secure data storage system. The newly integrated RTK antenna significantly strengthens the connection between Ground Station Pro and the control system, while the new data recording system provides a more stable imaging experience.
In November 2018, DJI released the Mavic 2 Enterprise Dual (M2ED) which is designed for use by law enforcement and other public safety officials. The M2ED is the first enterprise drone to be outfitted with the FLIR Radiometric MicroCamera. This camera features a 4K zoom camera with up to 16x optical zoom, a 32x digital zoom, and an 8.4km transmission range. The M2ED also comes outfitted with numerous accessories, such as a spotlight, loudspeaker, and beacon light. Each of these accessories can help first responders complete their tasks with greater effectiveness and efficiency. The M2ED also features more data safety tools than any previous Mavic model. It comes with AES-256 bit data encryption and secure data pins, ensuring that each flight is data protected. This way, even if the drone is lost, the most sensitive data is kept safe.
Released in August 2020, the Zenmuse H20 series is the first integrated multi-sensor solution on the market. The series is comprised of two models: the Zenmuse H20 and the Zenmuse H20T. The H20 comes with a 12MP camera with a 1/2.3-inch CMOS as well as a 48MP camera with a 1/2-inch CMOS, both of which allow users to capture high-quality images even while flying at high altitudes. The dual-thermal H20T, meanwhile, comes with all of the cameras of the H20, but has an added laser range finder powered by Laser Rangefinder LiDar Technology (LRF LIDAR). The LRF allows for 50m to 1200m of pinpoint accuracy. The H20T also comes with a Spotlight and Speaker, allowing for increased flexibility and functionality. Perhaps the defining feature of the H20 series is its ability to capture images in all lighting conditions, from day to night. The series’ radiometric measurement capabilities allow closer inspection of each image to improve the accuracy of reporting over time. The H20’s multiple sensors allow law enforcement personnel to share information easily and quickly between units, so that they always have the most up-to-date intel immediately available.

Use Cases in Crime Prevention and Solution

Beyond the realm of personal and commercial use, DJI drones are being employed as powerful tools for crime prevention and investigation. Law enforcement agencies around the world are increasingly utilizing drones in a wide range of applications, from search and rescue operations to traffic monitoring and even crime scene analysis. In terms of search and rescue, DJI drones are particularly well-suited for the task. Equipped with high-definition cameras and advanced sensors, they can cover expansive areas of difficult terrain in a fraction of the time it would take ground crews to do so. Some law enforcement agencies have reported significant success in locating missing persons through the deployment of drones, not only in remote locations but also in urban environments where access can be challenging. In 2017, for instance, a drone was credited with helping officials quickly locate two runaway teenagers amidst a severe storm in Corpus Christi, Texas. Traffic monitoring is another key area where DJI drones have proven invaluable. With their ability to quickly survey vast stretches of roadways and highways, drones can provide law enforcement with real-time data on traffic patterns and congestion, allowing for more efficient traffic management. Moreover, in the event of an accident, a drone can help document the scene for investigation and accident reconstruction purposes, while minimizing the need to shut down traffic on busy roadways. Perhaps one of the most intriguing uses of DJI drones in law enforcement is in the analysis of crime scenes. Drones equipped with thermal imaging cameras can detect body heat, making them an effective tool for locating victims in dense underbrush or debris. For instance, in 2016, a drone was deployed to track down a body in the aftermath of an explosion at a gunpowder factory in San Antonio, Texas. Furthermore, when it comes to documenting the scene of a crime, the ability of drones to capture aerial footage gives law enforcement a more comprehensive view and allows them to analyze the scene more effectively. In summary, it’s clear that the integration of drones in law enforcement provides numerous benefits, ranging from physical search capabilities to more sophisticated analytical functions in criminal investigations. As this technology continues to advance, we will likely see law enforcement agencies further expand their use of drones in various capacities.

Legal and Ethical Implications

With the advent of DJI drones in the public safety realm, there are complex legal and ethical issues to consider in the deployment of these technologies. Drones have always had an aspect of surveillance about them, but with the forward-facing cameras that the DJI Phantom 3 and 4 series have, there are differing viewpoints about what constitutes an invasion of privacy. The fact is that the law keeps changing.
In 2015, for example, in Galpin v. City of Palo Alto, et al. 2:12-cv-02454-JAM-KJN, Galpin sued the city for an invasion of privacy claiming that the police flew a DJI drone over his home in 2012 while investigating a "noise complaint." It was determined that this did not rise to the level of an unreasonable intrusion into Galpin’s privacy because the police drone did not fly lower than the next door neighbor’s roof. However, this case was settled so there was no decision by the court establishing a precedent.
Look at the California Penal Code Section 647(j)(3)(B) issued in January 2017 as "Prop 47" or the "Safe Neighborhoods and Safe Schools Act" which adds § 647.3 (j) and provides that the unlawful use of an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) "to accomplish any of the following crimes is a misdemeanor." Those crimes include a misdemeanor violation of Section 14 of Article 1 of the California Constitution, which may include the crime of invasion of privacy, such as peeping, or invading the privacy of a residence.
There are a set of regulations currently being crafted by the FAA that will need to be reviewed and followed.
In Colorado, criminal defense lawyers in the state are concerned about how drones and law enforcement could be conflated when a legal third-party drone flies into the evidence area of a police investigation and then police, thinking that it is theirs, take possession of it, thereby likely running afoul of 3rd party law. (See Dunn v. United States 480 U.S. 294 (1987)).
There are also concerns for getting public buy-in on being surveillanced on their own property by drones. For example, when the William County Sheriff’s Office purchased the DJI Phantom 4 advanced in April 2017, the ACLU of Illinois asked the office a bunch of questions, such as "Does the Department plan to share the information obtained from the drone with other law enforcement agencies inside or outside of the state?" "How long would the county retain any data that is collected?" "Will the data collected include individuals’ images and video?" and "Will the county make the drone’s data public through a website or other means accessible to residents? If not, why not?" Back in 2003, Illinois passed a drone privacy bill (HB-1407) that requires police to obtain search warrants before using drones to invade people’s private property. The sponsor of that bill, Rep. Kelly Cassidy (D-Chicago), was quoted in the July 2017 Drone Law Letter as saying: "I imagine the same concerns that people might have about aerial surveillance cameras attached to buildings also apply to drones."

DJI Law Enforcement Drone Case Studies

Across the globe, law enforcement agencies are deploying DJI drones across a variety of scenarios, and the results speak for themselves. One such high-profile case took place in November 2015 when regional police evacuated 1400 people after residents reported gas fumes coming from a 40,000 square foot plastic factory in Portugal. The police deployed a DJI Phantom 3, which allowed the police to assess the area and determine the extent of the damage prior to dispatching their ground teams. This drone facilitated a faster and more efficient multi-agency response to a massive emergency. In Sandy Springs, Georgia, a helicopter was dispatched multiple times to survey a fire that broke out on Interstate 285, pulling precious resources away from the damage-control effort. A local news station alerted the public that the Fire Department was deploying a DJI Phantom 4 to the scene , so members of the public would not be alarmed by the helicopter on-site. The Phantom 4 gave on-the-ground personnel the sight they needed to strategize a solution to the problem, and it also facilitated, through media coverage, public awareness of how the firefighters were using hi-tech tools to save their homes. This case serves as an example of how complicated problems can be remedied with the help of DJI drones, while also creating averted media attention to provide the public with peace of mind. From the Southern Calif. Edison to local municipalities and private contractors, there is no shortage of DJI drones making the rounds with law enforcement agencies across the United States. These unmanned systems have been in use for years, helping their operators get the job done faster, in most cases.

Future Developments in Law Enforcement and DJI Drones

The future of DJI drones in law enforcement seems particularly bright, with a plethora of technological advancements on the horizon. Beyond continuing improvements in camera quality and battery life, the potential application of innovative ideas like real-time facial recognition technology or integration with pre-existing surveillance systems could expand the scope of DJI’s role in police work. As public expectation of law enforcement technology continues to rise, police departments worldwide will be increasingly driven to adopt DJI products as the drone industry leader. While some may eschew enhancements that angle the drone more towards surveillance, others will appreciate that there is substantial value in every DJI drone already possessing advanced flight capabilities and 4K cameras. The best drones already exist to assist with crime scene investigation, accident reconstruction and surveillance gathering, and this may be enough to convince those on the fence. Additionally, software integrations that can accomplish those goals or streamline the drone flying process are already available, and may provide some much needed time efficiencies for busy law enforcement professionals, making the integration of DJI drones in policing a win-win for everyone involved. Though the Federal Aviation Administration ("FAA") has limited the number of waivers granted for nighttime operations under Part 107, law enforcement professionals utilizing DJI drones across the United States have successfully obtained such waivers, with many states already set on expanding the scope of commercial operation to allow individuals to fly drones for work purposes at night. As this legislation unfolds, the expanded use of DJI drones at night could prove crucial to search and rescue operations or other investigative work. Likewise, if the FAA implements its remote identification rulemaking as anticipated, DJI drones will be well-positioned to provide real-time information to investigators and provide them with a unique advantage that other drones may not be able to offer. The future of drones in government exploration work appears equally bright, with police drones constantly developing to meet the growing demands of their forces to best serve their communities. In particular, the development of potentially game-changing technology by DJI means that they will continue to lead the law enforcement drone market. As the popularity of drones continues to grow, so too will the creative uses for these powerful pieces of technology used within law enforcement.

Summary

We’re now seeing the next stage in the use of drone technology by law enforcement, which will make drones more available for police forces than ever before. More than 100 public safety agencies have joined a national program that will facilitate the purchase of drones by police and fire departments to improve service delivery. Backed by a registered non-profit, the Public Safety Alliance, the U.S. arm of DJI, known as DJI Government & Public Security Solutions, and other public safety leaders, the Public Safety Alliance (PSA) National Public Safety Acquisition Pass-Through Program has been designed to help first responders rapidly access drone solutions by establishing a nationwide cooperative purchasing program through the U.S. Communities Government Purchasing Alliance, which has already contracted to make drones in alliance with DJI "government approved" to be purchased directly by public safety agencies in 47 states and Washington, D.C.
This program gives public safety agencies across the US access to DJI drones under already-negotiated government contract terms , reducing red tape and speeding up the acquisition process. Each state throughout the country has a variety of purchasing group programs that public safety agencies can access to acquire many different types of goods and services, including software, hardware, vehicles, and other products used in public safety operations. Essentially, PSA of DJI has piggy-backed on an already-approved government purchasing program to upload the first batch of DJI-owned drones. The standalone PSA has already been certified under the System for Award Management (SAM) program and registered as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charity, which is required for non-profit organizations involved in government contracts. Most importantly, PSA and DJI have instituted stringent safety protocols that public safety agencies must maintain by signing a detailed performance-based training plan, identified in the program application, before seeking to acquire DJI products from a government vendor. In summary, DJI’s drones have revolutionized law enforcement, allowing the police and public safety officers to respond faster than ever, with countless lives saved. These technological advancements will only continue to expedite police work and improve safety more than ever.