Today the NYPD announced its Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) program, which will be comprised of newly acquired Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), or drones, and the licensed NYPD officers of the Technical Assistance Response Unit (TARU) who will operate them.

The department said Tuesday that potential uses for its 14 drones include search and rescue, hard-to-reach crime scenes, hostage situations, and hazardous material incidents.

These devices will be deployed solely by licensed members of TARU who have gone through vigorous training.

It says drones can reduce risk to officers and bystanders during a response to dangerous situations.

They’ll be operated by officers who are specially trained and licensed.

The NYPD says the drones won’t be used for routine patrol or traffic enforcement.

The New York Civil Liberties Union says the NYPD’s drone policy doesn’t do enough to balance public privacy concerns with “legitimate law enforcement needs.”

More than 900 public safety agencies nationwide already use drones.

The Technical Assistance Response Unit (TARU) provides specialized investigative equipment and tactical support to all bureaus within the NYPD, from officers on patrol to the Emergency Service Unit (ESU). The unit’s expertise in audio/visual technology helps: enhance investigations through the recovery of surveillance video footage; record police action at large-scale demonstrations and arrest situations; and provide crucial live video to incident commanders during ongoing emergency situations.

In the attached video, the NYPD shows how a drone can safely approach a HazMat scene to inspect what type of chemical it is, without sending personnel close up.

“As the largest municipal police department in the United States, the NYPD must always be willing to leverage the benefits of new and always-improving technology,” said Police Commissioner James P. O’Neill. “Our new UAS program is part of this evolution – it enables our highly-trained cops to be even more responsive to the people we serve, and to carry out the NYPD’s critical work in ways that are more effective, efficient, and safe for everyone.”

LIVE: The NYPD is unveiling its plans to track potential threats using drones. More drone coverage here: https://t.co/Fd6hSpOGnG https://t.co/0GDkUxPdgG

— Eyewitness News (@ABC7NY) December 4, 2018

This cutting edge technology is another tool that the NYPD can deploy in select circumstances to help keep New Yorkers safe, and also enhance officer safety. The UAS program can help NYPD gather crucial information as situations unfold without putting officers at risk and lessen harm and danger to civilian bystanders and other involved parties.

.@NYPDChiefofDept announcing that the #NYPD is taking another important step in public safety – the utilization of Unmanned Aircraft Systems or drones. This cutting edge technology joins a long list of tools at the NYPD’s disposal during emergency situations. pic.twitter.com/L3wHl6HpPE

— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) December 4, 2018

Across the country there are more than 900 state and local police, fire and emergency units with UAVs. During the NYPD’s research and development stage, NYPD officials met with other police departments to learn about their programs. Additionally, the Department solicited feedback from City Council members and advocates.

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