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Committee forwards Sheriff’s request to add drone-as-first-responder and a tearball grenade delivery system to inventory

Government Audit and Oversight Committee of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors · April 16, 2026

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Summary

The committee accepted the Sheriff’s 2025 military equipment use policy report and forwarded a request to add a drone-as-first-responder system and a tearball grenade delivery method (OC delivery) to the inventory; the Sheriff described a one-time implementation cost estimate of about $250,000 for the full drone system.

On April 16, 2026 the Government Audit and Oversight Committee accepted the San Francisco Sheriff’s Office 2025 Military Equipment Use Policy annual report and forwarded the office’s request to add two new items to its approved inventory: a drone-as-first-responder (DFR) system and a tearball grenade delivery system that would deploy oleoresin capsicum (OC).

The Sheriff said the proposed DFR would mirror the technology currently used by the police department in ARTC and would be used to augment facility security — including at the department’s San Bruno custody campus and annex. “The $250,000 estimated cost is for a one time implementation,” the Sheriff said, explaining the figure covers the drone unit plus rooftop launcher and related system hardware rather than just an airframe.

The Sheriff described the tearball grenade as a different delivery method for OC (pepper spray), noting OC itself is already in the department’s inventory and that the new delivery system is similar to existing delivery systems for less-lethal materials. The Sheriff told the committee that a community meeting on these materials occurred on Jan. 6 this year and that the report and a more comprehensive slide deck had been circulated to supervisors.

Supervisor Sherrill asked whether the resolution would appropriate new money; the Sheriff confirmed it did not and that procurement would proceed from existing funds. No public commenters spoke on the item. Vice Chair Supervisor Sauter moved to forward the resolution and equipment request to the full Board with a positive recommendation; roll call recorded two ayes with Chair Felder excused and the motion passed.