Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)

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Drones

Mission:

It shall be the mission of those personnel of the Oceanside Police Department who are trained in the use of UAS, to use this resource to protect the lives and property of citizens and first responders in a constitutionally and legally sound manner. Use of an aerial system can be utilized in circumstances which would save life and property, as well as being able to detect possible dangers that could not otherwise be seen

Overview

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), more commonly referred to as drones, have proven to be a valuable resource for law enforcement, first responders, and during emergency service operations. The Oceanside Police Department and many other law enforcement agencies have adopted drone programs after seeing the benefits and value they provide to improving public safety. Some examples include; providing an overhead view of a specific area or incident for ground personnel, safely clearing the interior of buildings, providing detailed documentation of crime and accident scenes, and searching for lost or missing persons.

History

The Oceanside Police Department has had an Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), also known as a drone program, since 2016. We currently have 14 pilots which includes three sergeants and one lieutenant. The program is a collateral assignment for the staff. Each member of the team is certified by the FAA as a Remote Pilot; the team also undergoes annual proficiency testing. In 2023 alone, there were 574 UAS flights with over 114 hours of flight time. The program is operated under a Certificate of Wavier issued by the FAA.

The current program is a patrol lead response. The pilots carry the drones in their vehicles and drive to the scene of an incident. There is a delay in responding to calls for service that require a UAS due to the drive time and equipment set up by the pilot. The current practice requires at least two employees, with one being the Remote Pilot in Command and the other acting as a visual observer.

Currently, 13 sworn police officers were trained in the operation of UAS technology, and earned required commercial licenses (FAA Part 107) and certifications necessary to operate UAS’ in the performance of their law enforcement duties.

On April 23, 2025, City Council approved the Oceanside Police Department as First Responder (DFR) trial Program. This trial program will focus on the downtown area to be able to evaluate the program.

Drone as First Responder (DFR) Program Overview

Under the DFR model, UAVs are dispatched just like officers that are on patrol, often arriving on-scene within minutes. Once there is a call into 9-1-1, a remote pilot can dispatch the drone autonomously from any location to the incident location through the software platform.

The DFR program provides real-time video and information to the responding ground units. The added information from the UAS is able to assist officers by enhancing situational awareness which can also serve to de-escalate situations. It can confirm, dispel, or expand upon the information previously received. DFR increases the transparency of public safety operations and has the potential to reduce use of force incidents.

We anticipate starting the trial period in August 2025.

Public dashboard to view Drone as a First Responder flights

Resources