The Associated Press reports the civilian Los Angeles Police Commission recently voted to approve a one-year pilot program that would allow the Metropolitan Division's SWAT team to deploy drones on a case-by-case basis. The drones would limit police exposure to "dangerous, high-risk tactical situations." The drone will be unarmed and cannot be used in any matter that would violate the law or Constitution. The LAPD has had two drones since 2014 but has not deployed either due to vocal opposition from the public. Meanwhile, the LA County Sheriff's Department began using a drone in January to assist in limited situations. Sheriff Jim McDonnell refused the request from the Sheriff's Department's Civilian Oversight Commission to ground the drone back in July, calling the drone "an important public safety tool."
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