What is a drone or UAS?
An Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) is commonly referred to as a drone. A drone is an aerial device with an onboard computer that is operated remotely by a licensed pilot.
Where is the video and photos taken by the UAS stored?
All video and photo evidence taken during any UAS mission is stored in the same manner and location as Body Worn Camera (BWC) video and other investigative evidence. The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department (SBCSD) utilizes a private "cloud" service to store all digital evidence. The service is authorized and certified under both state and federal regulations for the security and protection of confidential information and is available only for official law enforcement purposes. Evidence is stored and saved for a limited time, unless it is categorized as evidence in an actual crime or formal investigation. Then it is stored for a period of time consistent with all other evidence related to that incident/investigation.
Who has access to UAS video and photos?
Video and photos collected by UAS are stored for the purposes of conducting police investigation and subsequent prosecutions. Accordingly, video and photos are generally accessible to police investigators for official use only. Like all police records, video and photos may also be subject to additional release under the same rules and restrictions as Body Worn Camera (BWC) video and other items of evidence. Generally, UAS photos and video are considered part of the investigative record and are not available to the public under the California Public Records Act (CPRA) or Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
How is my privacy protected?
The intent of the Drones as First Responder (DFR) program is to enhance SBCSD's response to emergency calls for service. As such, drones are used during an active response to an emergency or other police assistance. SBCSD policy prohibits drone operators from intentionally recording or transmitting images of any location where a person would have a reasonable expectation of privacy, such as inside private buildings, except where authorized by a warrant issued by a judge or in emergency situations.