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Board approves sheriff's 2025 military equipment policy, authorizes drone and OC canister
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Summary
The Board of Supervisors adopted the sheriff's 2025 military equipment use policy and approved two additional items — a DFR drone for first-responder searches and an OC "tear ball" canister — after debate about privacy and civil-rights risks; the vote was 9'1 with Supervisor Walton voting no.
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors on April 28 adopted the sheriff's 2025 military equipment use policy and inventory and approved the sheriff's request to purchase two additional items: a DFR drone intended for first-responder search and observation, and an OC "tear ball" canister designed to deliver oleoresin capsicum (OC) into areas rather than disperse CS/CN gas.
The item came back to the board after Supervisor Walton asked to hold it until a representative from the Sheriff's Office could answer questions. Sheriff Miyamoto told the board the requests were not open-ended: "There are two specific items that are being requested right now," he said, describing the drone as "the exact same drone technology that the police department currently uses" and saying it would be used for searches of missing or medically vulnerable people and to supplement perimeter monitoring at San Bruno facilities. On the OC device, Miyamoto said the canister would deliver OC pepper spray, "not CN or CS gas," and that it "is not intended to individualize on any specific person; it's for deployment into an area."
Supervisor Walton questioned whether the drone program could be operated without infringing civil liberties. "Is there any way to guarantee that drone technology won't violate someone's civil rights?" Walton asked. In response, Miyamoto said the department's drone policy would follow existing city guidelines, that the drones would not carry facial-recognition technology and would be used as an observation platform: "We don't have any facial recognition technology on it," he said.
Deputy City Attorney Brad Russi had earlier flagged litigation tied to a different federal grant (discussed during the SFPD grant item) but did not assert a legal bar to this item. After public exchange and questions, the clerk called the roll on item 20. The resolution passed with nine ayes and one no; Supervisor Walton registered the lone dissent. The resolution authorizes acceptance of the sheriff's 2025 military equipment inventory report and approval for the listed additional equipment consistent with state criteria.
Why it matters: The action expands the sheriff's authorized toolkit for both search-and-rescue and facility operations, while prompting continued scrutiny from supervisors about privacy and oversight. The board required the sheriff's office to follow existing city policies governing drone usage and inventory reporting.
Next steps: The approved equipment will be added to the sheriff's inventory and purchases may proceed consistent with the policy; the board record notes no immediate change to use rules beyond the approved inventory and existing policies.