Above Photo: From Vice, Charles Davis.
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The civilian Los Angeles Police Commission on Tuesday approved a one-year pilot program for the use of drones by police in certain situations, despite significant concerns voiced by the public.
The program was approved by a 3-1 vote after commissioners considered guidelines and took public comment.
Steve Soboroff, president of the commission, said before his vote the issue wasn’t about drones.
“The issue is a universal distrust and categorical distrust of the men and women of the Los Angeles Police Department,” said Soboroff, shouting above the crowd. “And I have a general trust and respect for the men and women of the Los Angeles Police Department, and I will vote for this policy.”
Soboroff’s words came after commissioner Cynthia McClain-Hill said she was opposed to the “difficult” issue.
“I am not satisfied that this department has done what it should do and needs to do in order to build the trust that is required to support the implementation of this technology,” McClain-Hill said.
Meanwhile, commissioner Shane Murphy Goldsmith did not attend the meeting for reasons unclear.
Many in attendance voiced their opposition to the program, and loud chants of “Shame on you!” broke out following the decision while four people were detained and issued citations.
Afterward, some people in the audience briefly blocked Main Street and 1st Street outside of the meeting to protest of the decision.
Drone program approved 3-1 & crowd not happy pic.twitter.com/XJcWDT00pY
— Wes Woods II (@JournoWes) October 17, 2017
Comments from #LAPD Chief Charlie Beck after the drone program vote. pic.twitter.com/XdC6j6dmDd
— Wes Woods II (@JournoWes) October 17, 2017
The drones would be used by Los Angeles Police Department’s Metropolitan Division SWAT Team to resolve “dangerous, high-risk tactical situations and improve situational awareness capabilities during natural disasters and catastrophic incidents,” according to the draft proposal.
Preceding the meeting, a group of anti-drone protesters stood outside Los Angeles Police Department Headquarters chanting “Drone-free LAPD, no drones LA!”
“Drones and the SWAT team — I mean if you talk about a prescription for unconstitutional policing, those two words say it all. Give some drones to SWAT,” Jim Lafferty of the National Lawyers Guild-LA comments said at the protest. “And mission creep is important to the story.”
Under the draft policy, a drone could be deployed to provide “enhanced situational awareness” only during the following incidents: Barricaded suspects; Active-shooter incidents; assessments of explosive devices and explosions; hostage situations; natural disasters; hazardous materials incidents; search-and-rescue operations; perimeter searches of armed suspects with superior firepower; an extraordinary tactical advantage; or when a suspect is wanted for assault with a firearm against a police officer
Here are some of the documents related to the drone item at the police commission meeting on Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/jA8mrl1Hyb
— Wes Woods II (@JournoWes) October 17, 2017
Recess occurs at police commission meeting after apparent reenactment of shooting during comment period results in “no means no” chant pic.twitter.com/uSW0LufDy1 — Wes Woods II (@JournoWes) October 17, 2017
A drone would not be used with any weapons capabilities, including any non-lethal or less-than-lethal systems, according to the proposed guidelines.
It also could not be deployed in violation of the law or Constitution.
Any deployment involving the use of a drone would have to be approved by a high-ranking, on-scene or responding officer from the Counter-Terrorism and Special Operations Bureau or the Office of Special Operations, as well as the commanding officer of the CTSOB.
Notification would then have to be made to the director of the Office of Special Operations, the police chief and liaisons on the Police Commission.
While the department acquired a couple of drones in 2014, they were never launched after concerns were raised by the public.
Groups like the Stop LAPD Spying Coalition and the American Civil Liberties Union have been vocal opponents of an LAPD drone program. On Tuesday, speakers from both were in attendance to voice their concerns.
Hamid Khan, of the Stop LAPD Spying Coalition, was one of the four cited after the meeting for blocking the street. After getting out of custody, Khan delivered a letter to Mayor Eric Garcetti’s office with about 14 other supporters who attended the meeting.
The letter read in part “we see this as a complete failure on the part of your appointed civilian oversight commission. For over 3 years the community has come forward and completely denounced the use of Drones by law enforcement. Your appointed Board of LAPD Police Commissioners has failed to act on behalf of the communities wishes and we demand you intervene and halt the implementation of the Drone program.”
Henry Casas, director of public engagement for Mayor Garcetti, met with Khan and others in the coalition early Tuesday afternoon to schedule a meeting.
Khan said “we expect him to take action.”
Lafferty, of the National Lawyers Guild, said afterward his organization would be closely watching the drone program. He called it “vague” and voiced concern that arrests prompted by drones would be unconstitutional.
Meanwhile, Los Angeles Police Protective League’s president said the union representing rank-and-file officers was in favor of the program.
“Whether its an active shooter at a school, or a suspect barricaded in a home in a Los Angeles neighborhood, this technology will help us save lives,” Craig Lally said. “We’re pleased that the Commission will allow us to use a tool that will protect both police officers and residents during public safety emergencies.”
Police Chief Charlie Beck, in comments made after the decision, said that the Special Weapons and Tactics Team would “only” use the technology in “very high impact situations.”
In #Palestine #Drones kill #Children. The people in #LosAngels dont want #LAPD using drones @MayorOfLA @ericgarcetti @DocMellyMel #LAPCfails pic.twitter.com/5UcUPZwZWS
— PMbeers (@PMbeers) October 18, 2017