The SLMPD gets approval to use drones during emergency response operations.
The St. Louis Board of Police Commissioners approved the program during their 2 hour long board meeting Wednesday.
Mayor Cara Spencer took up several issues with the program including the privacy of residents who may be captured on drone video and are unrelated to a crime.
"I mean it's one thing to have a body cam where the police officer is in the public, on the streets, etc. and maybe walking around, but a drone is flying above private residents and on their way to an incident will be unintentionally surveilling private citizens," Spencer said.
St. Louis Police Chief Robert Tracy says the cameras on a drone are no different than the camera on a police helicopter or other police technology.
"When we do have to put out any type of body worn camera we can anonymize the person to make sure that we protect their privacy and certainly that can be done here," the chief said.
The program passed on a 4 to 1 vote on Wednesday, with Spencer voting no.
City police day the first drones will be implemented Friday.
