HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-07-28; Community-Police Engagement Commission; 02; Drone ProgramMeeting Date: July 28, 2025
To: Community-Police Engagement Commission
From: Faviola Medina, Director of Constituent & Clerk Services
Staff Contact: Shaun Lawton, Police Lieutenant
shaun.lawton@carlsbadca.gov, 442-339-2288
Subject: Drone Program
District: All
Recommended Action
Receive a presentation from Police Lieutenant Shaun Lawton and a Police Ranger regarding the City
of Carlsbad’s Drone Program.
Fiscal Analysis
This action has no fiscal impact.
Environmental Evaluation
This action does not require environmental review because it does not constitute a project within
the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act under California Public Resources Code
Section 21065 in that it has no potential to cause either a direct physical change in the
environment or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
Exhibits
None.
Community-Police Engagement Commission
July 28, 2025 Item #2 Page 1 of 1
Carlsbad Police Department Drone Program
Ranger Belinda Butcher
Ranger John Hull
Lt. Shaun Lawton
What are Drones?
Drones, also known as unmanned aerial vehicles
(UAV’s), are flying robots that can be controlled
remotely or fly autonomously.They are designed to perform various tasks without an onboard human pilot, ranging from aerial photography and delivery
to reconnaissance.
Any person flying a drone for commercial purposes, including law enforcement, is required to have a Part 107 FAA Remote Pilot license.
Drone Basics
Drones are controlled by a human pilot from the ground and require a visual observer.
-Visual observers must keep the drone in their line of sight throughout a flight, from take off to landing.
•To operate Beyond Visual line of Sight COA is required.
•COA’s or Certificate of Waiver or Authorization are granted by the FAA. It is the responsibility of a department to have all COA’s needed to operate drones in their jurisdiction.
•COA’s are not required for all types of flight, departments should be familiar with their airspace to determine what waivers are required.
History of Carlsbad PD Drone
Program
Carlsbad Police developed a drone program in 2017
The program began with one sergeant and just two FAA certified pilots.
There have been many different drones in the fleet including:
•DJI Phantoms
•DJI Matrice 100’s
•DJI sparks
•DJI Mavic 2 Enterprise
As new technologies and trainings become available our pilots and program will
continue to grow.
Today Carlsbad Pilots participate in bi-monthly training where they train new skills, discuss deployments and avenues for program improvement.
What different types of drones are used by
the Carlsbad Police Department?
Mavic 3T Enterprise: Used for overwatch and to search outdoor spaces.
What different types of drones does
Carlsbad police department use?
DJI Avata 2
Used to search
indoor spaces
and confined spaces.
How does the Police Department use
Drones?
•Searches for missing persons or children (both in urban and
rural areas)
•Area searches for objects or items dropped by a suspect during a pursuit
•Surveillance of criminal activities
•Public events , overwatch for situational awareness (Street
fair, Carlsbad Marathon, Concerts in the park)
•Support for SWAT deployments or critical incidents
•Building searches
Carlsbad Drone Stats
•In 2024 drones were deployed 914 times for a
total of 188 hours of flight time.
•In 2025 drones have been deployed 508 times for a total of 84 hours of flight time.
•Carlsbad has 12 certified pilots working in patrol and special assignments.
Success Stories
•In the spring 2024 a drone was used to locate a suicidal subject on a trail in the early morning hours. The drone pilot was able to locate the subject and identify the firearm and its location relative to the subject. This information was used to assist guiding SWAT Officers to the subject's location and taking them into custody peacefully.
•In the summer of 2024, an indoor drone was used to locate a felony suspect hiding in a hotel room after tactics were unsuccessful in locating the suspect.
•In 2024 a drone was used to locate suspects fleeing a residential burglary, the suspects were later connected to the SATG.
•In 2025 drones have been used to locate suspects fleeing after the commission of a crime, hiding in buildings and residences and to locate missing persons.
What is DFR?
•Drones as First Responders, DFR, is the common term used
to describe programs utilizing drones as a first response
tool.
•DFR programs deploy drones to calls before or at the same
time as officers.
•The drones are typically on scene quickly and can provide
valuable intel to responding units.
Q&A