Agda Pkt 2026.04.13 Joint SA PFA

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P a g e | 20Redwood City Police Department 2025 Annual Military Equipment Use Report However, significant changes in the regulatory landscape - most notably federal NDAA compliance requirements and the ban of Chinese-manufactured drone platforms - fundamentally altered long- term planning considerations. Because DJI equipment represents the primary alternative in the market and now faces federal prohibition, the Department strategically shifted toward a fully NDAA- compliant, American-manufactured platform to ensure continuity and avoid costly future replacement. Additionally, the proposed 2026 investment reflects an expansion from a limited patrol-led model to a comprehensive Drone as First Responder (DFR) network, interior tactical drone capability, airspace safety and counter-UAS infrastructure, and full integration into real-time operations and evidence systems. This transition represents not merely program growth, but the development of a citywide, future-proofed public safety aviation ecosystem aligned with evolving federal law and modern policing needs. UAS Policy and Evidence Retention and Community Reception The Department’s UAS program is governed by Policy 438, which was adopted on June 4, 2025, and is available on the City’s website. This policy authorizes drone deployment for clearly defined public safety purposes, while strictly prohibiting random surveillance, discriminatory targeting, immigration enforcement, personal use, or weaponization. All operations must comply with constitutional standards, FAA regulations, and established privacy protections, including efforts to avoid recording areas where individuals have a reasonable expectation of privacy absent a warrant or exigent circumstances. Video evidence collected through UAS operations is retained and managed in accordance with existing Department policies governing public safety video systems and body-worn cameras, ensuring consistent chain-of-custody, auditing, and retention timelines aligned with the Department’s established Body-Worn Camera policy. Since implementation of the UAS program, community members, business owners, and business groups have informally expressed support for the Department’s use of drone technology and the positive operational outcomes it has produced. While the Department has received occasional questions regarding program operations and safeguards - as expected with any emerging technology - there have been no formal complaints related to UAS deployments or misuse. UAS (Unmanned Aerial System) Training During 2025 During 2025, The Department sent five UAS team members to specialized training courses hosted by the Regional Training Center (RTC). The training included Basic Pilot Training, NIST Proctor Certification, a UAS Managers course, and Advanced UAS Operators Training. These courses were selected to ensure operational competency, supervisory oversight capability, and nationally 9.A. - Page 33 of 197 390