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San Francisco supervisors approve SFPD drone policy amid questions about state law
Summary
The Board of Supervisors voted 9-2 on first reading to approve an SFPD unassisted aerial vehicle policy after heated debate about whether the department had already violated state rules and whether voters'passed Proposition E could substitute for board approval.
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved, on first reading, an ordinance adopting an unassisted aerial vehicle (drone) policy for the San Francisco Police Department, amid debate about possible conflicts with state law and how Proposition E interacts with the board's oversight role.
Supporters said the policy includes privacy and safety protections; opponents said the department had already used drones without clear legal authorization and that inviting court challenges could undermine prosecutions or civil liberties.
Supervisor Preston (member, San Francisco Board of Supervisors) said the revised policy addressed several priorities raised by civil-rights advocates and assured that drones would not be used as weapons. "These drones are not equipped, or allowed to be equipped, with weapons or used as weapons against people," Preston said, and praised meetings between his office, SFPD and civil-rights stakeholders for producing changes.
The policy passed on first reading by a 9-2 roll call vote, with Supervisors Walton and Ronan voting no. The ordinance was carried as Item 20 on the agenda and was amended on the floor before the vote.
Why it matters: The debate…
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