There is a public hearing Wednesday, on a plan to allow Minneapolis Police officers to use drones to assist the department.
The hearing in front of the Public Health and Safety Committee gets underway at City Hall at 1:30.
There is already a state law on the books that allows law enforcement to use drones, but only if there is a warrant. That law also requires agencies to hold public hearings to address the concerns of the public.
Julia Decker, policy director of the ACLU of Minnesota, says that organization helped to shape the current Minnesota state law and there are community concerns about drone use.
“We really are just watching that to make sure they’re in compliance, and then suggesting ways they can maybe be stronger than the state law,” explains Decker.
Overall, ACLU supports police use of drones and new technology to assist in policing according to Decker. That is especially true with the difficulty Minneapolis and other police departments have had with hiring and recruiting new officers.
But, with the Minneapolis Police Department under a microscope, Decker adds that making a hearing open to public concern is even more important.
“I think of particular concern is we’re talking about cities such as Minneapolis that are under scrutiny for discriminatory policing,” Decker told WCCO.
While drones are cheaper for law enforcement to use as compared to manned aircraft, many citizens feel that their privacy is at stake. Drones can enter people's private areas, and with current technology can get very detailed views into homes and other types or property.
More than 70 agencies from around the state already use drones and Minneapolis Police officials say, among other things, they would use the drones to help conduct threat assessment and search and rescue efforts. They do add that the drones would not be used for random surveillance.
The city has provided a list of situations where they plan to use drones, and include a list of situations where they will not use them. That can be seen here.
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