The San Diego Police Department utilizes Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) to assist in incidents that would benefit from video or photographic support from an aerial perspective. These could include search and rescue, barricaded suspects or high-risk tactical operations, disaster response or other aerial documentation of crime scenes.

The Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Program is managed by the Operational Support Unit.

Reports

Each agency is required to annually produce a general summary of UAS operations in accordance with the 2015 Presidential Memorandum: Promoting Economic Competitiveness While Safeguarding Privacy, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties in Domestic Use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems. These reports do not include UAS flights conducted for training.

• Annual Report Fiscal Year 2023
• Annual Report Fiscal Year 2022
• Annual Report Fiscal Year 2021
• Annual Report Fiscal Year 2020
• Annual Report Fiscal Year 2019