Our public safety professionals are tasked with enforcing broad stay-at-home orders while limiting officer contact with citizens in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Many law enforcement agencies are—or are considering—utilizing drones as a tool for surveillance, education and enforcement. Although drone usage is not a new trend in public safety, the COVID-19 pandemic appears to have accelerated their use in some agencies. The impact on police operations could potentially extend well beyond the current crisis.

These efforts bring important legal issues to the forefront involving:

– 4th Amendment and other Constitutional protections

– Surveillance in and around private residences

– Reasonable privacy expectations in public places

In this two hour webinar, Attorney Matt Dolan will discuss existing case law, pending legal challenges and potential pitfalls for law enforcement agencies as they consider the use of drones in the weeks, months and years to come.