Atascadero approves police drone program and 2026 military equipment report; council demands privacy safeguards and annual reporting

The Atascadero City Council voted unanimously to accept the Police Department’s 2026 military equipment report, adopt clarifying language to the department’s military equipment policy, and approve a new police drone program that will add a DJI Matrice 4T to the city’s equipment list.

Chief Settles told council that the internal audit found no policy violations in the last year and that most listed military equipment was used only for training. He described the proposed Matrice 4T as a public‑safety drone with thermal and zoom cameras, a laser rangefinder and obstacle‑avoidance features. "It increases officer safety, and it also increases our capabilities," Settles said, noting search‑and‑rescue and fire‑spotting among the drone’s uses.

Chief Settles estimated initial program costs at $60,416, citing three major cost categories: the drone and accessories, data storage, and training/overtime. He said $26,000 of that would be covered by a general fund adjustment approved earlier in 2026 and the balance would come from the Supplemental Law Enforcement Services Fund.

On privacy, the chief emphasized operational limits written into the 40‑plus page policy and operations manual: the drone will not be used for random patrol surveillance or weaponized use, the department will not deploy facial‑recognition technology, and stored footage will be retained internally for 180 days by default and longer if tied to evidence. "We will not be using the drone for surveillance. We don't use the drone for random patrol," Settles said.

Public commenter Jess Davis urged caution, citing hacking and downstream uses of stored footage and expressing concern that data once saved can be subpoenaed or otherwise repurposed. "Once you save data, you lose all control over it," Davis said.

Council members pressed staff on technical and governance safeguards (internal server storage rather than third‑party vendors; no Flock camera integration; training and pilot coverage; an annual report back to council). Council member Funk moved to approve the staff recommendations and requested that staff return next year with a performance and use report; the motion passed unanimously.

Chief Settles said the department has four FAA‑licensed potential pilots and intends to keep a pilot available on each shift where feasible; the drone would be staged with the watch commander for rapid deployment. The department will track uses and provide the council an annual update as required by state law.

The vote authorizes staff to adopt the updated policy language, approve the drone program and add the Matrice 4T to the equipment list; council members said they expect close oversight of privacy protections and data security going forward.