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Police commission reviews AB 481 annual equipment report: drones, LRADs and armored vehicle use disclosed
Summary
SFPD presented its AB 481 annual report, disclosing community meetings and equipment counts and use: drones (Skydio/63 total; 350 deployments for the Skydio 10 in 2024 cited), LRAD and flashbang deployment counts, BearCat deployments and a reported 2024 drone program cost of $428,997; commissioners asked for pilot and staffing follow‑ups.
SFPD and a senior legislative liaison presented the department’s AB 481 annual report to the Police Commission on April 9, listing the department’s holdings and uses of equipment covered by the statute and the outreach done to community members.
The report, posted on the department website in January 2025 according to presenters, documented that the department held a range of items and disclosed the quantity and frequency of deployments during the previous year. Highlights presented in commission discussion included:
- 17 unmanned ground robots (small remote vehicles), used about 40 times (mainly search warrants and critical incidents). - A BearCat armored vehicle, deployed 42 times in 2024 for high‑risk operations. - Flashbangs used 38 times in high‑risk tactical operations; most deployments reported as exterior to residences. - LRAD (long‑range acoustic devices) used 37 times for crowd management, critical incidents and public‑safety deployments. - Projectile launchers (40mm) used 58 times for critical incidents and high‑risk search warrants. - Drones: presenters described 63 drones (7 leased), including larger Skydio 10 aircraft; the Skydio 10s were reported as deployed about 350 times across criminal investigations, critical incidents, planned operations and training. The presentation listed a 2024 drone program cost of $428,997 and said the deployment log is available on SFPD’s website.
Chief Scott and staff said the department intends to acquire additional equipment only if fiscally feasible and emphasized that some items are used to de‑escalate operations or provide distance for officers in tactical scenarios. The chief described the StarChase pursuit‑tracking pilot as limited and said the department would report usage numbers after the pilot period.
Commissioners asked whether all drones in use are disclosed (the chief said yes) and pressed for details on operator numbers and training (FAA Part 107 certification and internal training were described as required steps). Presenters said community meetings held at seven stations focused questions on drone capabilities, pursuits and operator capacity rather than privacy concerns.
Next steps: Commissioners requested follow‑up details about pilot deployments and the StarChase pilot's results; the department said it will provide usage numbers and continue community outreach.
