Wichita police will soon have a drone to fly over crash scenes, SWAT standoffs and Riverfest. But could it also fly over your backyard?
That’s what members of the Citizen Review Board asked when police proposed a drone policy at last week’s meeting.
Capt. Doug Nolte said police are already purchasing one drone for the department. “Before we actually deploy it or ever use it, we want to have a policy in place so people are aware of the fact that we have it, what we are going to use it for, what they can expect, and I think if you listen to what (board members) were mentioning today, there are definitely concerns about privacy,” Nolte said.The nine-page proposed policy says drones will assist “the Department in the prevention of crime, the apprehension of criminals, the preservation of the public peace, and to protect the personal and property rights of the citizens of Wichita.”
“These operational procedures are designed to minimize risk to people, property, and aircraft during the operation of the SUAs (small unmanned aircraft) while continuing to safeguard the right to privacy of all persons,” the policy states.
(Read more: Wichita Eagle)