DOJ Establishes Policy Guidance for Domestic Use of Drones

The Department of Justice issued agencywide policy guidance on the department's use of unmanned aircraft systems last week to set standards of use and management controls, a DOJ news release said Friday. Law enforcement agencies sometimes use UAS or drones as “cost-effective, efficient and potentially life-saving tools to support public safety efforts,” said Justice. The new DOJ policy “highlights protections of privacy, civil rights and liberties and makes clear that UAS use must be consistent with the protections afforded by the U.S. Constitution,” said the department. DOJ components can’t use UAS solely to monitor activities protected by the First Amendment and can use UAS only for properly authorized investigations and activities, it said. “The collection, retention and dissemination of information collected by UAS is also subject to Privacy Act protections.” Persons operating UAS must be appropriately trained and supervised according to the department’s policies and annual privacy reviews will be conducted, DOJ said. The guidance issued was the result of discussions and research. DOJ said it will continue holding meetings at least twice per year to “ensure the department strikes the appropriate balance between its law enforcement and national security missions and respect for civil rights and civil liberties.”