The Oakland Police Department employs 4 Drone operators who are full-time patrol officers within the police department. Each drone operator has attended training in this field, and they are certified to operate the drones within the operational guidelines set forth by the Federal Aviation Administration and its regulations.
Unmanned Areial Vehicles (UAV’s and/or Drones) were brought into the Oakland Police Departments equipment line-up to enhance our capabilities as a Law Enforcement Agency. These pieces of equipment will assist us with officer safety, aerial surveillance, search and rescue, and operational efficiency.
They provide live feeds on real-time events, assist us with monitoring large events such as our July 4th celebrations, Christmas Parades, Oakland in October, and any future events to be held within the city limits. UAV’s also enhance safety and situational awareness for officers on the ground during critical incidents.