Emeryville council directs staff to amend military-equipment rules to allow police drones

The Emeryville City Council voted unanimously to direct staff to amend the citys military equipment ordinance to authorize the purchase and use of drones by the Emeryville Police Department, after a study-session presentation from the department.

Captain Dower, leading the departments presentation, told the council the police department was "looking for direction on a drone program, which is also referred to as a, unmanned aerial system." He described common uses including search and rescue, disaster response and damage assessment, crime-scene documentation, traffic and accident reconstruction, fire-scene thermal imaging, and rapid aerial support as alternatives to helicopters. Dower told the council drones can improve officer safety and speed response times and that training and…