The report takes issue with the NYPD’s publicly available Impact and Use policy (IUP) for drone operations, arguing that it fails to fully disclose the capabilities of these devices. The policy, issued in September 2023, doesn’t adequately detail features such as mapping technologies, communication functionalities, and even a device capable of breaking glass when necessary. Furthermore, the IUP doesn’t comprehensively address potential health and safety risks associated with drone usage, nor the risk of damage to both public and private property.
?resize=700,452 700w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=768,496 768w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=1200,775 1200w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=1536,992 1536w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=384,248 384w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=900,581 900w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=1600,1033 1600w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=50,32 50w” sizes=”(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px”/>An NYPD officer demonstrates a drone in operation in Central Park during a Nov. 13, 2024 announcement with Mayor Eric Adams and police officials.
During the Adams management, the NYPD has increasingly relied upon drones for various purposes — from attempting to locate lost swimmers on the city’s beaches; to assisting the FDNY in battling wildfires; to monitoring protests; and to locating alleged criminals.
In November, Mayor Eric Adams and NYPD brass announced a new drone first responder program in Central Park and at five other police precincts across the city to add extra sets of eyes on the communities.
“We are leveraging the latest technology to enhance the NYPD’s emergency-response capabilities, remotely sending drones to the exact longitude and latitude of where an emergency call comes and sometimes in as little as a minute,” Mayor Adams said during the Nov. 13 announcement. “These drones will mean more efficient policing and will help increase the safety of our responding NYPD officers and New Yorkers.”
But the DOI’s report released Wednesday found that the NYPD’s IUP concerning drones did not “sufficiently disclose all of the information required by the POST Act,and does not provide a complete and accurate picture of all aspects of NYPD” drone operations in practice.”
Such as, though the NYPD’s IUP requires that all drone deployments are operated and supervised by the Technical Assistance and Response Unit (TARU), the DOI study found that multiple units within the department had their own drone programs — including the Transit Bureau, the Highway Patrolos’ Collision Technician Group, the Emergency Services Unit, the Counterterrorism Division and the Office of the Chief of Department.
Moreover,the study found that the commanding officer for a newly-formed Drone Team within the NYPD that consolidated several operational units reports directly to the Deputy Commissioner of Operations,Kaz Daughtry,rather than Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey,which is in conflict with the chain of command outlined in the NYPD IUP.
The NYPD’s drone policy also does not reflect that flight log information for the drones is now captured in the city’s FORMS database, so TARU was no longer required to maintain such logs. It also did not disclose the potential risks for the devices’ lithium-ion batteries, which have been known as notorious firestarters around the city in recent years.
“Drones can be a critical public safety tool capable of enhancing NYPD operations,” said DOI Commissioner Jocelyn E. Strauber. “However, this report found that NYPD’s impact and use policies do not fully and accurately describe the Department’s unmanned aircraft systems’ practices in certain respects and issued key recommendations to achieve that goal.”
The full DOI report can be found online at nyc.gov/doi.
Path of change
The DOI issued 10 recommendations for the NYPD to follow, all of which focus on updating its IUP for drone operations — including clearly outlining the approval, supervision and reporting structure for drone operations; listing all drone capabilities; fully disclosing health and safety impacts; and clearly establishing that the automated flight log information shoudl be posted in FORMS, rather than maintained by TARU.
amNewYork Metro reached out to the NYPD for comment and is awaiting a response.
the report did not come as a surprise to Albert Fox Cahn, executive director of the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (STOP) — a nonprofit watchdog that aims to stop mass surveillance and reinforce individual rights to privacy.
Cahn told amNewYork Metro that the DOI report “makes clear that the NYPD surveillance apparatus continues to brazenly break the law,and it’s long past time that the City Council takes action.”
“When it comes to NYPD’s illegal drone surveillance, the sky’s the limit,” Cahn said. “The POST Act never imagined a mayor who would so openly condone breaking the law, and the Council must amend the POST Act to hold the NYPD to account. The NYPD’s drone program is blatantly illegal, but it’s also a massive waste of money, sending drones to New Yorkers who actually need human help in an emergency.”
## NYPD Drone Program under Fire: A Conversation with the DOI’s Inspector General
**host:** Welcome back to Archyde News. Today, we’re discussing a new report from the Department of Inquiry that’s raising serious questions about the NYPD’s expanding drone program. Joining us is Jeanene Barrett,the DOI’s Inspector General for the NYPD,who led the investigation. Inspector General Barrett, thank you for being here.
**Jeanene Barrett:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** Your report highlights a notable increase in the NYPD’s use of drones. Can you tell our viewers what prompted this investigation?
**Jeanene Barrett:** Certainly. The NYPD’s use of drone technology has increased dramatically in recent years. While we recognize the potential benefits of this technology, our investigation stemmed from concerns about a lack of transparency and proper oversight regarding how these drones are being deployed and the potential impact on New Yorkers’ privacy.
**Host:** What were some of the key findings of your investigation?
**Jeanene Barrett:** Our investigation focused on the NYPD’s compliance with the Public Oversight of Surveillance Technology (POST) Act, a law designed to ensure accountability for the NYPD’s use of surveillance technologies. We found that the NYPD’s publicly available Impact and Use Policy (IUP) for drones lacks crucial details about the capabilities of these devices.
For example, it doesn’t fully disclose features like mapping technology, dialog functionalities, and even a device capable of breaking glass.
**Host:** Those sound like significant omissions. What are the implications of such a lack of transparency?
**jeanene barrett:** Transparency is crucial when it comes to surveillance technologies. The public has a right to know how these devices are being used and what capabilities they possess. without this information, it’s tough to assess the potential risks to privacy, safety, and civil liberties.
**Host:** The report also mentions concerns about the potential for misuse and lack of clear oversight. Can you elaborate on that?
**Jeanene Barrett:** We found that the NYPD’s drone program lacks a clear chain of command and robust supervision protocols. This raises concerns about potential for misuse and the potential for drones to be deployed in a manner that violates individual rights.
**Host:** Mayor Adams has championed the NYPD’s drone program, pointing to it’s potential benefits in areas like firefighting and search-and-rescue operations. How do you balance those potential benefits with the concerns raised in your report?
**Jeanene Barrett:** We recognize the potential benefits of drone technology when used responsibly. Our goal is not to stifle innovation, but to ensure that these technologies are deployed within a framework that protects privacy and civil liberties. That’s why we’re recommending the NYPD revise its IUP to be more transparent and accountable. We also urge the creation of a clearly defined chain of command for drone operations and the implementation of stronger supervision protocols.
**Host:** What steps can the public take to ensure the NYPD’s drone program is used responsibly?
**Jeanene Barrett:** Staying informed is key. Read the DOI report, familiarize yourself with the NYPD’s IUP, and attend community meetings where drone deployment is discussed. Advocate for greater transparency and hold elected officials accountable for ensuring responsible use of this technology.
**Host:** Inspector General barrett, thank you for shedding light on this critically important issue. We’ll continue to follow this story as it develops.
“NYPD’s increase in drone usage in recent years has raised privacy concerns related to how drones are used to conduct police surveillance,” Barrett said. “The recommendations in this report call on the NYPD to enhance its unmanned aircraft systems’ impact and use policy by providing additional details about the drone program and drone capabilities, thereby increasing public transparency related to [its] use of this technology.”
The report takes issue with the NYPD’s publicly available Impact and Use policy (IUP) for drone operations, arguing that it fails to fully disclose the capabilities of these devices. The policy, issued in September 2023, doesn’t adequately detail features such as mapping technologies, communication functionalities, and even a device capable of breaking glass when necessary. Furthermore, the IUP doesn’t comprehensively address potential health and safety risks associated with drone usage, nor the risk of damage to both public and private property.
?resize=700,452 700w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=768,496 768w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=1200,775 1200w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=1536,992 1536w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=384,248 384w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=900,581 900w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=1600,1033 1600w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=50,32 50w” sizes=”(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px”/>An NYPD officer demonstrates a drone in operation in Central Park during a Nov. 13, 2024 announcement with Mayor Eric Adams and police officials.
During the Adams management, the NYPD has increasingly relied upon drones for various purposes — from attempting to locate lost swimmers on the city’s beaches; to assisting the FDNY in battling wildfires; to monitoring protests; and to locating alleged criminals.
In November, Mayor Eric Adams and NYPD brass announced a new drone first responder program in Central Park and at five other police precincts across the city to add extra sets of eyes on the communities.
“We are leveraging the latest technology to enhance the NYPD’s emergency-response capabilities, remotely sending drones to the exact longitude and latitude of where an emergency call comes and sometimes in as little as a minute,” Mayor Adams said during the Nov. 13 announcement. “These drones will mean more efficient policing and will help increase the safety of our responding NYPD officers and New Yorkers.”
But the DOI’s report released Wednesday found that the NYPD’s IUP concerning drones did not “sufficiently disclose all of the information required by the POST Act,and does not provide a complete and accurate picture of all aspects of NYPD” drone operations in practice.”
Such as, though the NYPD’s IUP requires that all drone deployments are operated and supervised by the Technical Assistance and Response Unit (TARU), the DOI study found that multiple units within the department had their own drone programs — including the Transit Bureau, the Highway Patrolos’ Collision Technician Group, the Emergency Services Unit, the Counterterrorism Division and the Office of the Chief of Department.
Moreover,the study found that the commanding officer for a newly-formed Drone Team within the NYPD that consolidated several operational units reports directly to the Deputy Commissioner of Operations,Kaz Daughtry,rather than Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey,which is in conflict with the chain of command outlined in the NYPD IUP.
The NYPD’s drone policy also does not reflect that flight log information for the drones is now captured in the city’s FORMS database, so TARU was no longer required to maintain such logs. It also did not disclose the potential risks for the devices’ lithium-ion batteries, which have been known as notorious firestarters around the city in recent years.
“Drones can be a critical public safety tool capable of enhancing NYPD operations,” said DOI Commissioner Jocelyn E. Strauber. “However, this report found that NYPD’s impact and use policies do not fully and accurately describe the Department’s unmanned aircraft systems’ practices in certain respects and issued key recommendations to achieve that goal.”
The full DOI report can be found online at nyc.gov/doi.
Path of change
The DOI issued 10 recommendations for the NYPD to follow, all of which focus on updating its IUP for drone operations — including clearly outlining the approval, supervision and reporting structure for drone operations; listing all drone capabilities; fully disclosing health and safety impacts; and clearly establishing that the automated flight log information shoudl be posted in FORMS, rather than maintained by TARU.
amNewYork Metro reached out to the NYPD for comment and is awaiting a response.
the report did not come as a surprise to Albert Fox Cahn, executive director of the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (STOP) — a nonprofit watchdog that aims to stop mass surveillance and reinforce individual rights to privacy.
Cahn told amNewYork Metro that the DOI report “makes clear that the NYPD surveillance apparatus continues to brazenly break the law,and it’s long past time that the City Council takes action.”
“When it comes to NYPD’s illegal drone surveillance, the sky’s the limit,” Cahn said. “The POST Act never imagined a mayor who would so openly condone breaking the law, and the Council must amend the POST Act to hold the NYPD to account. The NYPD’s drone program is blatantly illegal, but it’s also a massive waste of money, sending drones to New Yorkers who actually need human help in an emergency.”
## NYPD Drone Program under Fire: A Conversation with the DOI’s Inspector General
**host:** Welcome back to Archyde News. Today, we’re discussing a new report from the Department of Inquiry that’s raising serious questions about the NYPD’s expanding drone program. Joining us is Jeanene Barrett,the DOI’s Inspector General for the NYPD,who led the investigation. Inspector General Barrett, thank you for being here.
**Jeanene Barrett:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** Your report highlights a notable increase in the NYPD’s use of drones. Can you tell our viewers what prompted this investigation?
**Jeanene Barrett:** Certainly. The NYPD’s use of drone technology has increased dramatically in recent years. While we recognize the potential benefits of this technology, our investigation stemmed from concerns about a lack of transparency and proper oversight regarding how these drones are being deployed and the potential impact on New Yorkers’ privacy.
**Host:** What were some of the key findings of your investigation?
**Jeanene Barrett:** Our investigation focused on the NYPD’s compliance with the Public Oversight of Surveillance Technology (POST) Act, a law designed to ensure accountability for the NYPD’s use of surveillance technologies. We found that the NYPD’s publicly available Impact and Use Policy (IUP) for drones lacks crucial details about the capabilities of these devices.
For example, it doesn’t fully disclose features like mapping technology, dialog functionalities, and even a device capable of breaking glass.
**Host:** Those sound like significant omissions. What are the implications of such a lack of transparency?
**jeanene barrett:** Transparency is crucial when it comes to surveillance technologies. The public has a right to know how these devices are being used and what capabilities they possess. without this information, it’s tough to assess the potential risks to privacy, safety, and civil liberties.
**Host:** The report also mentions concerns about the potential for misuse and lack of clear oversight. Can you elaborate on that?
**Jeanene Barrett:** We found that the NYPD’s drone program lacks a clear chain of command and robust supervision protocols. This raises concerns about potential for misuse and the potential for drones to be deployed in a manner that violates individual rights.
**Host:** Mayor Adams has championed the NYPD’s drone program, pointing to it’s potential benefits in areas like firefighting and search-and-rescue operations. How do you balance those potential benefits with the concerns raised in your report?
**Jeanene Barrett:** We recognize the potential benefits of drone technology when used responsibly. Our goal is not to stifle innovation, but to ensure that these technologies are deployed within a framework that protects privacy and civil liberties. That’s why we’re recommending the NYPD revise its IUP to be more transparent and accountable. We also urge the creation of a clearly defined chain of command for drone operations and the implementation of stronger supervision protocols.
**Host:** What steps can the public take to ensure the NYPD’s drone program is used responsibly?
**Jeanene Barrett:** Staying informed is key. Read the DOI report, familiarize yourself with the NYPD’s IUP, and attend community meetings where drone deployment is discussed. Advocate for greater transparency and hold elected officials accountable for ensuring responsible use of this technology.
**Host:** Inspector General barrett, thank you for shedding light on this critically important issue. We’ll continue to follow this story as it develops.
The DOI’s investigation focused on the NYPD’s compliance with the Public Oversight of Surveillance Technology (POST) Act,a 2020 law designed to oversee the NYPD’s surveillance practices. Jeanene Barrett, the DOI’s Inspector-General for the NYPD, led the review.
“NYPD’s increase in drone usage in recent years has raised privacy concerns related to how drones are used to conduct police surveillance,” Barrett said. “The recommendations in this report call on the NYPD to enhance its unmanned aircraft systems’ impact and use policy by providing additional details about the drone program and drone capabilities, thereby increasing public transparency related to [its] use of this technology.”
The report takes issue with the NYPD’s publicly available Impact and Use policy (IUP) for drone operations, arguing that it fails to fully disclose the capabilities of these devices. The policy, issued in September 2023, doesn’t adequately detail features such as mapping technologies, communication functionalities, and even a device capable of breaking glass when necessary. Furthermore, the IUP doesn’t comprehensively address potential health and safety risks associated with drone usage, nor the risk of damage to both public and private property.
?resize=700,452 700w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=768,496 768w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=1200,775 1200w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=1536,992 1536w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=384,248 384w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=900,581 900w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=1600,1033 1600w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=50,32 50w” sizes=”(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px”/>An NYPD officer demonstrates a drone in operation in Central Park during a Nov. 13, 2024 announcement with Mayor Eric Adams and police officials.
During the Adams management, the NYPD has increasingly relied upon drones for various purposes — from attempting to locate lost swimmers on the city’s beaches; to assisting the FDNY in battling wildfires; to monitoring protests; and to locating alleged criminals.
In November, Mayor Eric Adams and NYPD brass announced a new drone first responder program in Central Park and at five other police precincts across the city to add extra sets of eyes on the communities.
“We are leveraging the latest technology to enhance the NYPD’s emergency-response capabilities, remotely sending drones to the exact longitude and latitude of where an emergency call comes and sometimes in as little as a minute,” Mayor Adams said during the Nov. 13 announcement. “These drones will mean more efficient policing and will help increase the safety of our responding NYPD officers and New Yorkers.”
But the DOI’s report released Wednesday found that the NYPD’s IUP concerning drones did not “sufficiently disclose all of the information required by the POST Act,and does not provide a complete and accurate picture of all aspects of NYPD” drone operations in practice.”
Such as, though the NYPD’s IUP requires that all drone deployments are operated and supervised by the Technical Assistance and Response Unit (TARU), the DOI study found that multiple units within the department had their own drone programs — including the Transit Bureau, the Highway Patrolos’ Collision Technician Group, the Emergency Services Unit, the Counterterrorism Division and the Office of the Chief of Department.
Moreover,the study found that the commanding officer for a newly-formed Drone Team within the NYPD that consolidated several operational units reports directly to the Deputy Commissioner of Operations,Kaz Daughtry,rather than Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey,which is in conflict with the chain of command outlined in the NYPD IUP.
The NYPD’s drone policy also does not reflect that flight log information for the drones is now captured in the city’s FORMS database, so TARU was no longer required to maintain such logs. It also did not disclose the potential risks for the devices’ lithium-ion batteries, which have been known as notorious firestarters around the city in recent years.
“Drones can be a critical public safety tool capable of enhancing NYPD operations,” said DOI Commissioner Jocelyn E. Strauber. “However, this report found that NYPD’s impact and use policies do not fully and accurately describe the Department’s unmanned aircraft systems’ practices in certain respects and issued key recommendations to achieve that goal.”
The full DOI report can be found online at nyc.gov/doi.
Path of change
The DOI issued 10 recommendations for the NYPD to follow, all of which focus on updating its IUP for drone operations — including clearly outlining the approval, supervision and reporting structure for drone operations; listing all drone capabilities; fully disclosing health and safety impacts; and clearly establishing that the automated flight log information shoudl be posted in FORMS, rather than maintained by TARU.
amNewYork Metro reached out to the NYPD for comment and is awaiting a response.
the report did not come as a surprise to Albert Fox Cahn, executive director of the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (STOP) — a nonprofit watchdog that aims to stop mass surveillance and reinforce individual rights to privacy.
Cahn told amNewYork Metro that the DOI report “makes clear that the NYPD surveillance apparatus continues to brazenly break the law,and it’s long past time that the City Council takes action.”
“When it comes to NYPD’s illegal drone surveillance, the sky’s the limit,” Cahn said. “The POST Act never imagined a mayor who would so openly condone breaking the law, and the Council must amend the POST Act to hold the NYPD to account. The NYPD’s drone program is blatantly illegal, but it’s also a massive waste of money, sending drones to New Yorkers who actually need human help in an emergency.”
## NYPD Drone Program under Fire: A Conversation with the DOI’s Inspector General
**host:** Welcome back to Archyde News. Today, we’re discussing a new report from the Department of Inquiry that’s raising serious questions about the NYPD’s expanding drone program. Joining us is Jeanene Barrett,the DOI’s Inspector General for the NYPD,who led the investigation. Inspector General Barrett, thank you for being here.
**Jeanene Barrett:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** Your report highlights a notable increase in the NYPD’s use of drones. Can you tell our viewers what prompted this investigation?
**Jeanene Barrett:** Certainly. The NYPD’s use of drone technology has increased dramatically in recent years. While we recognize the potential benefits of this technology, our investigation stemmed from concerns about a lack of transparency and proper oversight regarding how these drones are being deployed and the potential impact on New Yorkers’ privacy.
**Host:** What were some of the key findings of your investigation?
**Jeanene Barrett:** Our investigation focused on the NYPD’s compliance with the Public Oversight of Surveillance Technology (POST) Act, a law designed to ensure accountability for the NYPD’s use of surveillance technologies. We found that the NYPD’s publicly available Impact and Use Policy (IUP) for drones lacks crucial details about the capabilities of these devices.
For example, it doesn’t fully disclose features like mapping technology, dialog functionalities, and even a device capable of breaking glass.
**Host:** Those sound like significant omissions. What are the implications of such a lack of transparency?
**jeanene barrett:** Transparency is crucial when it comes to surveillance technologies. The public has a right to know how these devices are being used and what capabilities they possess. without this information, it’s tough to assess the potential risks to privacy, safety, and civil liberties.
**Host:** The report also mentions concerns about the potential for misuse and lack of clear oversight. Can you elaborate on that?
**Jeanene Barrett:** We found that the NYPD’s drone program lacks a clear chain of command and robust supervision protocols. This raises concerns about potential for misuse and the potential for drones to be deployed in a manner that violates individual rights.
**Host:** Mayor Adams has championed the NYPD’s drone program, pointing to it’s potential benefits in areas like firefighting and search-and-rescue operations. How do you balance those potential benefits with the concerns raised in your report?
**Jeanene Barrett:** We recognize the potential benefits of drone technology when used responsibly. Our goal is not to stifle innovation, but to ensure that these technologies are deployed within a framework that protects privacy and civil liberties. That’s why we’re recommending the NYPD revise its IUP to be more transparent and accountable. We also urge the creation of a clearly defined chain of command for drone operations and the implementation of stronger supervision protocols.
**Host:** What steps can the public take to ensure the NYPD’s drone program is used responsibly?
**Jeanene Barrett:** Staying informed is key. Read the DOI report, familiarize yourself with the NYPD’s IUP, and attend community meetings where drone deployment is discussed. Advocate for greater transparency and hold elected officials accountable for ensuring responsible use of this technology.
**Host:** Inspector General barrett, thank you for shedding light on this critically important issue. We’ll continue to follow this story as it develops.
The report takes issue with the NYPD’s publicly available Impact and Use policy (IUP) for drone operations, arguing that it fails to fully disclose the capabilities of these devices. The policy, issued in September 2023, doesn’t adequately detail features such as mapping technologies, communication functionalities, and even a device capable of breaking glass when necessary. Furthermore, the IUP doesn’t comprehensively address potential health and safety risks associated with drone usage, nor the risk of damage to both public and private property.
?resize=700,452 700w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=768,496 768w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=1200,775 1200w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=1536,992 1536w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=384,248 384w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=900,581 900w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=1600,1033 1600w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=50,32 50w” sizes=”(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px”/>An NYPD officer demonstrates a drone in operation in Central Park during a Nov. 13, 2024 announcement with Mayor Eric Adams and police officials.
During the Adams management, the NYPD has increasingly relied upon drones for various purposes — from attempting to locate lost swimmers on the city’s beaches; to assisting the FDNY in battling wildfires; to monitoring protests; and to locating alleged criminals.
In November, Mayor Eric Adams and NYPD brass announced a new drone first responder program in Central Park and at five other police precincts across the city to add extra sets of eyes on the communities.
“We are leveraging the latest technology to enhance the NYPD’s emergency-response capabilities, remotely sending drones to the exact longitude and latitude of where an emergency call comes and sometimes in as little as a minute,” Mayor Adams said during the Nov. 13 announcement. “These drones will mean more efficient policing and will help increase the safety of our responding NYPD officers and New Yorkers.”
But the DOI’s report released Wednesday found that the NYPD’s IUP concerning drones did not “sufficiently disclose all of the information required by the POST Act,and does not provide a complete and accurate picture of all aspects of NYPD” drone operations in practice.”
Such as, though the NYPD’s IUP requires that all drone deployments are operated and supervised by the Technical Assistance and Response Unit (TARU), the DOI study found that multiple units within the department had their own drone programs — including the Transit Bureau, the Highway Patrolos’ Collision Technician Group, the Emergency Services Unit, the Counterterrorism Division and the Office of the Chief of Department.
Moreover,the study found that the commanding officer for a newly-formed Drone Team within the NYPD that consolidated several operational units reports directly to the Deputy Commissioner of Operations,Kaz Daughtry,rather than Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey,which is in conflict with the chain of command outlined in the NYPD IUP.
The NYPD’s drone policy also does not reflect that flight log information for the drones is now captured in the city’s FORMS database, so TARU was no longer required to maintain such logs. It also did not disclose the potential risks for the devices’ lithium-ion batteries, which have been known as notorious firestarters around the city in recent years.
“Drones can be a critical public safety tool capable of enhancing NYPD operations,” said DOI Commissioner Jocelyn E. Strauber. “However, this report found that NYPD’s impact and use policies do not fully and accurately describe the Department’s unmanned aircraft systems’ practices in certain respects and issued key recommendations to achieve that goal.”
The full DOI report can be found online at nyc.gov/doi.
Path of change
The DOI issued 10 recommendations for the NYPD to follow, all of which focus on updating its IUP for drone operations — including clearly outlining the approval, supervision and reporting structure for drone operations; listing all drone capabilities; fully disclosing health and safety impacts; and clearly establishing that the automated flight log information shoudl be posted in FORMS, rather than maintained by TARU.
amNewYork Metro reached out to the NYPD for comment and is awaiting a response.
the report did not come as a surprise to Albert Fox Cahn, executive director of the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (STOP) — a nonprofit watchdog that aims to stop mass surveillance and reinforce individual rights to privacy.
Cahn told amNewYork Metro that the DOI report “makes clear that the NYPD surveillance apparatus continues to brazenly break the law,and it’s long past time that the City Council takes action.”
“When it comes to NYPD’s illegal drone surveillance, the sky’s the limit,” Cahn said. “The POST Act never imagined a mayor who would so openly condone breaking the law, and the Council must amend the POST Act to hold the NYPD to account. The NYPD’s drone program is blatantly illegal, but it’s also a massive waste of money, sending drones to New Yorkers who actually need human help in an emergency.”
## NYPD Drone Program under Fire: A Conversation with the DOI’s Inspector General
**host:** Welcome back to Archyde News. Today, we’re discussing a new report from the Department of Inquiry that’s raising serious questions about the NYPD’s expanding drone program. Joining us is Jeanene Barrett,the DOI’s Inspector General for the NYPD,who led the investigation. Inspector General Barrett, thank you for being here.
**Jeanene Barrett:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** Your report highlights a notable increase in the NYPD’s use of drones. Can you tell our viewers what prompted this investigation?
**Jeanene Barrett:** Certainly. The NYPD’s use of drone technology has increased dramatically in recent years. While we recognize the potential benefits of this technology, our investigation stemmed from concerns about a lack of transparency and proper oversight regarding how these drones are being deployed and the potential impact on New Yorkers’ privacy.
**Host:** What were some of the key findings of your investigation?
**Jeanene Barrett:** Our investigation focused on the NYPD’s compliance with the Public Oversight of Surveillance Technology (POST) Act, a law designed to ensure accountability for the NYPD’s use of surveillance technologies. We found that the NYPD’s publicly available Impact and Use Policy (IUP) for drones lacks crucial details about the capabilities of these devices.
For example, it doesn’t fully disclose features like mapping technology, dialog functionalities, and even a device capable of breaking glass.
**Host:** Those sound like significant omissions. What are the implications of such a lack of transparency?
**jeanene barrett:** Transparency is crucial when it comes to surveillance technologies. The public has a right to know how these devices are being used and what capabilities they possess. without this information, it’s tough to assess the potential risks to privacy, safety, and civil liberties.
**Host:** The report also mentions concerns about the potential for misuse and lack of clear oversight. Can you elaborate on that?
**Jeanene Barrett:** We found that the NYPD’s drone program lacks a clear chain of command and robust supervision protocols. This raises concerns about potential for misuse and the potential for drones to be deployed in a manner that violates individual rights.
**Host:** Mayor Adams has championed the NYPD’s drone program, pointing to it’s potential benefits in areas like firefighting and search-and-rescue operations. How do you balance those potential benefits with the concerns raised in your report?
**Jeanene Barrett:** We recognize the potential benefits of drone technology when used responsibly. Our goal is not to stifle innovation, but to ensure that these technologies are deployed within a framework that protects privacy and civil liberties. That’s why we’re recommending the NYPD revise its IUP to be more transparent and accountable. We also urge the creation of a clearly defined chain of command for drone operations and the implementation of stronger supervision protocols.
**Host:** What steps can the public take to ensure the NYPD’s drone program is used responsibly?
**Jeanene Barrett:** Staying informed is key. Read the DOI report, familiarize yourself with the NYPD’s IUP, and attend community meetings where drone deployment is discussed. Advocate for greater transparency and hold elected officials accountable for ensuring responsible use of this technology.
**Host:** Inspector General barrett, thank you for shedding light on this critically important issue. We’ll continue to follow this story as it develops.
**Jeanene Barrett:** My pleasure.
A new report from the Department of Investigation (DOI) has raised concerns about the NYPD’s increasing reliance on drones. While acknowledging the department’s expanded use of unmanned aerial devices, the report criticizes the NYPD for lacking proper supervision protocols and a clear chain of command for its drone program. released on December 18th, 2024, the report highlights a growing public unease over drones flying above new York City [[1](https://www.nyc.gov/site/nypd/stats/reports-analysis/uas-drones.page)]and underscores the need for greater transparency surrounding their deployment.
The DOI’s investigation focused on the NYPD’s compliance with the Public Oversight of Surveillance Technology (POST) Act,a 2020 law designed to oversee the NYPD’s surveillance practices. Jeanene Barrett, the DOI’s Inspector-General for the NYPD, led the review.
“NYPD’s increase in drone usage in recent years has raised privacy concerns related to how drones are used to conduct police surveillance,” Barrett said. “The recommendations in this report call on the NYPD to enhance its unmanned aircraft systems’ impact and use policy by providing additional details about the drone program and drone capabilities, thereby increasing public transparency related to [its] use of this technology.”
The report takes issue with the NYPD’s publicly available Impact and Use policy (IUP) for drone operations, arguing that it fails to fully disclose the capabilities of these devices. The policy, issued in September 2023, doesn’t adequately detail features such as mapping technologies, communication functionalities, and even a device capable of breaking glass when necessary. Furthermore, the IUP doesn’t comprehensively address potential health and safety risks associated with drone usage, nor the risk of damage to both public and private property.
?resize=700,452 700w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=768,496 768w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=1200,775 1200w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=1536,992 1536w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=384,248 384w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=900,581 900w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=1600,1033 1600w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=50,32 50w” sizes=”(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px”/>An NYPD officer demonstrates a drone in operation in Central Park during a Nov. 13, 2024 announcement with Mayor Eric Adams and police officials.
During the Adams management, the NYPD has increasingly relied upon drones for various purposes — from attempting to locate lost swimmers on the city’s beaches; to assisting the FDNY in battling wildfires; to monitoring protests; and to locating alleged criminals.
In November, Mayor Eric Adams and NYPD brass announced a new drone first responder program in Central Park and at five other police precincts across the city to add extra sets of eyes on the communities.
“We are leveraging the latest technology to enhance the NYPD’s emergency-response capabilities, remotely sending drones to the exact longitude and latitude of where an emergency call comes and sometimes in as little as a minute,” Mayor Adams said during the Nov. 13 announcement. “These drones will mean more efficient policing and will help increase the safety of our responding NYPD officers and New Yorkers.”
But the DOI’s report released Wednesday found that the NYPD’s IUP concerning drones did not “sufficiently disclose all of the information required by the POST Act,and does not provide a complete and accurate picture of all aspects of NYPD” drone operations in practice.”
Such as, though the NYPD’s IUP requires that all drone deployments are operated and supervised by the Technical Assistance and Response Unit (TARU), the DOI study found that multiple units within the department had their own drone programs — including the Transit Bureau, the Highway Patrolos’ Collision Technician Group, the Emergency Services Unit, the Counterterrorism Division and the Office of the Chief of Department.
Moreover,the study found that the commanding officer for a newly-formed Drone Team within the NYPD that consolidated several operational units reports directly to the Deputy Commissioner of Operations,Kaz Daughtry,rather than Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey,which is in conflict with the chain of command outlined in the NYPD IUP.
The NYPD’s drone policy also does not reflect that flight log information for the drones is now captured in the city’s FORMS database, so TARU was no longer required to maintain such logs. It also did not disclose the potential risks for the devices’ lithium-ion batteries, which have been known as notorious firestarters around the city in recent years.
“Drones can be a critical public safety tool capable of enhancing NYPD operations,” said DOI Commissioner Jocelyn E. Strauber. “However, this report found that NYPD’s impact and use policies do not fully and accurately describe the Department’s unmanned aircraft systems’ practices in certain respects and issued key recommendations to achieve that goal.”
The full DOI report can be found online at nyc.gov/doi.
Path of change
The DOI issued 10 recommendations for the NYPD to follow, all of which focus on updating its IUP for drone operations — including clearly outlining the approval, supervision and reporting structure for drone operations; listing all drone capabilities; fully disclosing health and safety impacts; and clearly establishing that the automated flight log information shoudl be posted in FORMS, rather than maintained by TARU.
amNewYork Metro reached out to the NYPD for comment and is awaiting a response.
the report did not come as a surprise to Albert Fox Cahn, executive director of the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (STOP) — a nonprofit watchdog that aims to stop mass surveillance and reinforce individual rights to privacy.
Cahn told amNewYork Metro that the DOI report “makes clear that the NYPD surveillance apparatus continues to brazenly break the law,and it’s long past time that the City Council takes action.”
“When it comes to NYPD’s illegal drone surveillance, the sky’s the limit,” Cahn said. “The POST Act never imagined a mayor who would so openly condone breaking the law, and the Council must amend the POST Act to hold the NYPD to account. The NYPD’s drone program is blatantly illegal, but it’s also a massive waste of money, sending drones to New Yorkers who actually need human help in an emergency.”
## NYPD Drone Program under Fire: A Conversation with the DOI’s Inspector General
**host:** Welcome back to Archyde News. Today, we’re discussing a new report from the Department of Inquiry that’s raising serious questions about the NYPD’s expanding drone program. Joining us is Jeanene Barrett,the DOI’s Inspector General for the NYPD,who led the investigation. Inspector General Barrett, thank you for being here.
**Jeanene Barrett:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** Your report highlights a notable increase in the NYPD’s use of drones. Can you tell our viewers what prompted this investigation?
**Jeanene Barrett:** Certainly. The NYPD’s use of drone technology has increased dramatically in recent years. While we recognize the potential benefits of this technology, our investigation stemmed from concerns about a lack of transparency and proper oversight regarding how these drones are being deployed and the potential impact on New Yorkers’ privacy.
**Host:** What were some of the key findings of your investigation?
**Jeanene Barrett:** Our investigation focused on the NYPD’s compliance with the Public Oversight of Surveillance Technology (POST) Act, a law designed to ensure accountability for the NYPD’s use of surveillance technologies. We found that the NYPD’s publicly available Impact and Use Policy (IUP) for drones lacks crucial details about the capabilities of these devices.
For example, it doesn’t fully disclose features like mapping technology, dialog functionalities, and even a device capable of breaking glass.
**Host:** Those sound like significant omissions. What are the implications of such a lack of transparency?
**jeanene barrett:** Transparency is crucial when it comes to surveillance technologies. The public has a right to know how these devices are being used and what capabilities they possess. without this information, it’s tough to assess the potential risks to privacy, safety, and civil liberties.
**Host:** The report also mentions concerns about the potential for misuse and lack of clear oversight. Can you elaborate on that?
**Jeanene Barrett:** We found that the NYPD’s drone program lacks a clear chain of command and robust supervision protocols. This raises concerns about potential for misuse and the potential for drones to be deployed in a manner that violates individual rights.
**Host:** Mayor Adams has championed the NYPD’s drone program, pointing to it’s potential benefits in areas like firefighting and search-and-rescue operations. How do you balance those potential benefits with the concerns raised in your report?
**Jeanene Barrett:** We recognize the potential benefits of drone technology when used responsibly. Our goal is not to stifle innovation, but to ensure that these technologies are deployed within a framework that protects privacy and civil liberties. That’s why we’re recommending the NYPD revise its IUP to be more transparent and accountable. We also urge the creation of a clearly defined chain of command for drone operations and the implementation of stronger supervision protocols.
**Host:** What steps can the public take to ensure the NYPD’s drone program is used responsibly?
**Jeanene Barrett:** Staying informed is key. Read the DOI report, familiarize yourself with the NYPD’s IUP, and attend community meetings where drone deployment is discussed. Advocate for greater transparency and hold elected officials accountable for ensuring responsible use of this technology.
**Host:** Inspector General barrett, thank you for shedding light on this critically important issue. We’ll continue to follow this story as it develops.
The report takes issue with the NYPD’s publicly available Impact and Use policy (IUP) for drone operations, arguing that it fails to fully disclose the capabilities of these devices. The policy, issued in September 2023, doesn’t adequately detail features such as mapping technologies, communication functionalities, and even a device capable of breaking glass when necessary. Furthermore, the IUP doesn’t comprehensively address potential health and safety risks associated with drone usage, nor the risk of damage to both public and private property.
?resize=700,452 700w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=768,496 768w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=1200,775 1200w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=1536,992 1536w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=384,248 384w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=900,581 900w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=1600,1033 1600w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=50,32 50w” sizes=”(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px”/>An NYPD officer demonstrates a drone in operation in Central Park during a Nov. 13, 2024 announcement with Mayor Eric Adams and police officials.
During the Adams management, the NYPD has increasingly relied upon drones for various purposes — from attempting to locate lost swimmers on the city’s beaches; to assisting the FDNY in battling wildfires; to monitoring protests; and to locating alleged criminals.
In November, Mayor Eric Adams and NYPD brass announced a new drone first responder program in Central Park and at five other police precincts across the city to add extra sets of eyes on the communities.
“We are leveraging the latest technology to enhance the NYPD’s emergency-response capabilities, remotely sending drones to the exact longitude and latitude of where an emergency call comes and sometimes in as little as a minute,” Mayor Adams said during the Nov. 13 announcement. “These drones will mean more efficient policing and will help increase the safety of our responding NYPD officers and New Yorkers.”
But the DOI’s report released Wednesday found that the NYPD’s IUP concerning drones did not “sufficiently disclose all of the information required by the POST Act,and does not provide a complete and accurate picture of all aspects of NYPD” drone operations in practice.”
Such as, though the NYPD’s IUP requires that all drone deployments are operated and supervised by the Technical Assistance and Response Unit (TARU), the DOI study found that multiple units within the department had their own drone programs — including the Transit Bureau, the Highway Patrolos’ Collision Technician Group, the Emergency Services Unit, the Counterterrorism Division and the Office of the Chief of Department.
Moreover,the study found that the commanding officer for a newly-formed Drone Team within the NYPD that consolidated several operational units reports directly to the Deputy Commissioner of Operations,Kaz Daughtry,rather than Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey,which is in conflict with the chain of command outlined in the NYPD IUP.
The NYPD’s drone policy also does not reflect that flight log information for the drones is now captured in the city’s FORMS database, so TARU was no longer required to maintain such logs. It also did not disclose the potential risks for the devices’ lithium-ion batteries, which have been known as notorious firestarters around the city in recent years.
“Drones can be a critical public safety tool capable of enhancing NYPD operations,” said DOI Commissioner Jocelyn E. Strauber. “However, this report found that NYPD’s impact and use policies do not fully and accurately describe the Department’s unmanned aircraft systems’ practices in certain respects and issued key recommendations to achieve that goal.”
The full DOI report can be found online at nyc.gov/doi.
Path of change
The DOI issued 10 recommendations for the NYPD to follow, all of which focus on updating its IUP for drone operations — including clearly outlining the approval, supervision and reporting structure for drone operations; listing all drone capabilities; fully disclosing health and safety impacts; and clearly establishing that the automated flight log information shoudl be posted in FORMS, rather than maintained by TARU.
amNewYork Metro reached out to the NYPD for comment and is awaiting a response.
the report did not come as a surprise to Albert Fox Cahn, executive director of the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (STOP) — a nonprofit watchdog that aims to stop mass surveillance and reinforce individual rights to privacy.
Cahn told amNewYork Metro that the DOI report “makes clear that the NYPD surveillance apparatus continues to brazenly break the law,and it’s long past time that the City Council takes action.”
“When it comes to NYPD’s illegal drone surveillance, the sky’s the limit,” Cahn said. “The POST Act never imagined a mayor who would so openly condone breaking the law, and the Council must amend the POST Act to hold the NYPD to account. The NYPD’s drone program is blatantly illegal, but it’s also a massive waste of money, sending drones to New Yorkers who actually need human help in an emergency.”
## NYPD Drone Program under Fire: A Conversation with the DOI’s Inspector General
**host:** Welcome back to Archyde News. Today, we’re discussing a new report from the Department of Inquiry that’s raising serious questions about the NYPD’s expanding drone program. Joining us is Jeanene Barrett,the DOI’s Inspector General for the NYPD,who led the investigation. Inspector General Barrett, thank you for being here.
**Jeanene Barrett:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** Your report highlights a notable increase in the NYPD’s use of drones. Can you tell our viewers what prompted this investigation?
**Jeanene Barrett:** Certainly. The NYPD’s use of drone technology has increased dramatically in recent years. While we recognize the potential benefits of this technology, our investigation stemmed from concerns about a lack of transparency and proper oversight regarding how these drones are being deployed and the potential impact on New Yorkers’ privacy.
**Host:** What were some of the key findings of your investigation?
**Jeanene Barrett:** Our investigation focused on the NYPD’s compliance with the Public Oversight of Surveillance Technology (POST) Act, a law designed to ensure accountability for the NYPD’s use of surveillance technologies. We found that the NYPD’s publicly available Impact and Use Policy (IUP) for drones lacks crucial details about the capabilities of these devices.
For example, it doesn’t fully disclose features like mapping technology, dialog functionalities, and even a device capable of breaking glass.
**Host:** Those sound like significant omissions. What are the implications of such a lack of transparency?
**jeanene barrett:** Transparency is crucial when it comes to surveillance technologies. The public has a right to know how these devices are being used and what capabilities they possess. without this information, it’s tough to assess the potential risks to privacy, safety, and civil liberties.
**Host:** The report also mentions concerns about the potential for misuse and lack of clear oversight. Can you elaborate on that?
**Jeanene Barrett:** We found that the NYPD’s drone program lacks a clear chain of command and robust supervision protocols. This raises concerns about potential for misuse and the potential for drones to be deployed in a manner that violates individual rights.
**Host:** Mayor Adams has championed the NYPD’s drone program, pointing to it’s potential benefits in areas like firefighting and search-and-rescue operations. How do you balance those potential benefits with the concerns raised in your report?
**Jeanene Barrett:** We recognize the potential benefits of drone technology when used responsibly. Our goal is not to stifle innovation, but to ensure that these technologies are deployed within a framework that protects privacy and civil liberties. That’s why we’re recommending the NYPD revise its IUP to be more transparent and accountable. We also urge the creation of a clearly defined chain of command for drone operations and the implementation of stronger supervision protocols.
**Host:** What steps can the public take to ensure the NYPD’s drone program is used responsibly?
**Jeanene Barrett:** Staying informed is key. Read the DOI report, familiarize yourself with the NYPD’s IUP, and attend community meetings where drone deployment is discussed. Advocate for greater transparency and hold elected officials accountable for ensuring responsible use of this technology.
**Host:** Inspector General barrett, thank you for shedding light on this critically important issue. We’ll continue to follow this story as it develops.
**Jeanene Barrett:** My pleasure.
A new report from the Department of Investigation (DOI) has raised concerns about the NYPD’s increasing reliance on drones. While acknowledging the department’s expanded use of unmanned aerial devices, the report criticizes the NYPD for lacking proper supervision protocols and a clear chain of command for its drone program. released on December 18th, 2024, the report highlights a growing public unease over drones flying above new York City [[1](https://www.nyc.gov/site/nypd/stats/reports-analysis/uas-drones.page)]and underscores the need for greater transparency surrounding their deployment.
The DOI’s investigation focused on the NYPD’s compliance with the Public Oversight of Surveillance Technology (POST) Act,a 2020 law designed to oversee the NYPD’s surveillance practices. Jeanene Barrett, the DOI’s Inspector-General for the NYPD, led the review.
“NYPD’s increase in drone usage in recent years has raised privacy concerns related to how drones are used to conduct police surveillance,” Barrett said. “The recommendations in this report call on the NYPD to enhance its unmanned aircraft systems’ impact and use policy by providing additional details about the drone program and drone capabilities, thereby increasing public transparency related to [its] use of this technology.”
The report takes issue with the NYPD’s publicly available Impact and Use policy (IUP) for drone operations, arguing that it fails to fully disclose the capabilities of these devices. The policy, issued in September 2023, doesn’t adequately detail features such as mapping technologies, communication functionalities, and even a device capable of breaking glass when necessary. Furthermore, the IUP doesn’t comprehensively address potential health and safety risks associated with drone usage, nor the risk of damage to both public and private property.
?resize=700,452 700w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=768,496 768w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=1200,775 1200w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=1536,992 1536w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=384,248 384w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=900,581 900w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=1600,1033 1600w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=50,32 50w” sizes=”(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px”/>An NYPD officer demonstrates a drone in operation in Central Park during a Nov. 13, 2024 announcement with Mayor Eric Adams and police officials.
During the Adams management, the NYPD has increasingly relied upon drones for various purposes — from attempting to locate lost swimmers on the city’s beaches; to assisting the FDNY in battling wildfires; to monitoring protests; and to locating alleged criminals.
In November, Mayor Eric Adams and NYPD brass announced a new drone first responder program in Central Park and at five other police precincts across the city to add extra sets of eyes on the communities.
“We are leveraging the latest technology to enhance the NYPD’s emergency-response capabilities, remotely sending drones to the exact longitude and latitude of where an emergency call comes and sometimes in as little as a minute,” Mayor Adams said during the Nov. 13 announcement. “These drones will mean more efficient policing and will help increase the safety of our responding NYPD officers and New Yorkers.”
But the DOI’s report released Wednesday found that the NYPD’s IUP concerning drones did not “sufficiently disclose all of the information required by the POST Act,and does not provide a complete and accurate picture of all aspects of NYPD” drone operations in practice.”
Such as, though the NYPD’s IUP requires that all drone deployments are operated and supervised by the Technical Assistance and Response Unit (TARU), the DOI study found that multiple units within the department had their own drone programs — including the Transit Bureau, the Highway Patrolos’ Collision Technician Group, the Emergency Services Unit, the Counterterrorism Division and the Office of the Chief of Department.
Moreover,the study found that the commanding officer for a newly-formed Drone Team within the NYPD that consolidated several operational units reports directly to the Deputy Commissioner of Operations,Kaz Daughtry,rather than Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey,which is in conflict with the chain of command outlined in the NYPD IUP.
The NYPD’s drone policy also does not reflect that flight log information for the drones is now captured in the city’s FORMS database, so TARU was no longer required to maintain such logs. It also did not disclose the potential risks for the devices’ lithium-ion batteries, which have been known as notorious firestarters around the city in recent years.
“Drones can be a critical public safety tool capable of enhancing NYPD operations,” said DOI Commissioner Jocelyn E. Strauber. “However, this report found that NYPD’s impact and use policies do not fully and accurately describe the Department’s unmanned aircraft systems’ practices in certain respects and issued key recommendations to achieve that goal.”
The full DOI report can be found online at nyc.gov/doi.
Path of change
The DOI issued 10 recommendations for the NYPD to follow, all of which focus on updating its IUP for drone operations — including clearly outlining the approval, supervision and reporting structure for drone operations; listing all drone capabilities; fully disclosing health and safety impacts; and clearly establishing that the automated flight log information shoudl be posted in FORMS, rather than maintained by TARU.
amNewYork Metro reached out to the NYPD for comment and is awaiting a response.
the report did not come as a surprise to Albert Fox Cahn, executive director of the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (STOP) — a nonprofit watchdog that aims to stop mass surveillance and reinforce individual rights to privacy.
Cahn told amNewYork Metro that the DOI report “makes clear that the NYPD surveillance apparatus continues to brazenly break the law,and it’s long past time that the City Council takes action.”
“When it comes to NYPD’s illegal drone surveillance, the sky’s the limit,” Cahn said. “The POST Act never imagined a mayor who would so openly condone breaking the law, and the Council must amend the POST Act to hold the NYPD to account. The NYPD’s drone program is blatantly illegal, but it’s also a massive waste of money, sending drones to New Yorkers who actually need human help in an emergency.”
## NYPD Drone Program under Fire: A Conversation with the DOI’s Inspector General
**host:** Welcome back to Archyde News. Today, we’re discussing a new report from the Department of Inquiry that’s raising serious questions about the NYPD’s expanding drone program. Joining us is Jeanene Barrett,the DOI’s Inspector General for the NYPD,who led the investigation. Inspector General Barrett, thank you for being here.
**Jeanene Barrett:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** Your report highlights a notable increase in the NYPD’s use of drones. Can you tell our viewers what prompted this investigation?
**Jeanene Barrett:** Certainly. The NYPD’s use of drone technology has increased dramatically in recent years. While we recognize the potential benefits of this technology, our investigation stemmed from concerns about a lack of transparency and proper oversight regarding how these drones are being deployed and the potential impact on New Yorkers’ privacy.
**Host:** What were some of the key findings of your investigation?
**Jeanene Barrett:** Our investigation focused on the NYPD’s compliance with the Public Oversight of Surveillance Technology (POST) Act, a law designed to ensure accountability for the NYPD’s use of surveillance technologies. We found that the NYPD’s publicly available Impact and Use Policy (IUP) for drones lacks crucial details about the capabilities of these devices.
For example, it doesn’t fully disclose features like mapping technology, dialog functionalities, and even a device capable of breaking glass.
**Host:** Those sound like significant omissions. What are the implications of such a lack of transparency?
**jeanene barrett:** Transparency is crucial when it comes to surveillance technologies. The public has a right to know how these devices are being used and what capabilities they possess. without this information, it’s tough to assess the potential risks to privacy, safety, and civil liberties.
**Host:** The report also mentions concerns about the potential for misuse and lack of clear oversight. Can you elaborate on that?
**Jeanene Barrett:** We found that the NYPD’s drone program lacks a clear chain of command and robust supervision protocols. This raises concerns about potential for misuse and the potential for drones to be deployed in a manner that violates individual rights.
**Host:** Mayor Adams has championed the NYPD’s drone program, pointing to it’s potential benefits in areas like firefighting and search-and-rescue operations. How do you balance those potential benefits with the concerns raised in your report?
**Jeanene Barrett:** We recognize the potential benefits of drone technology when used responsibly. Our goal is not to stifle innovation, but to ensure that these technologies are deployed within a framework that protects privacy and civil liberties. That’s why we’re recommending the NYPD revise its IUP to be more transparent and accountable. We also urge the creation of a clearly defined chain of command for drone operations and the implementation of stronger supervision protocols.
**Host:** What steps can the public take to ensure the NYPD’s drone program is used responsibly?
**Jeanene Barrett:** Staying informed is key. Read the DOI report, familiarize yourself with the NYPD’s IUP, and attend community meetings where drone deployment is discussed. Advocate for greater transparency and hold elected officials accountable for ensuring responsible use of this technology.
**Host:** Inspector General barrett, thank you for shedding light on this critically important issue. We’ll continue to follow this story as it develops.
“NYPD’s increase in drone usage in recent years has raised privacy concerns related to how drones are used to conduct police surveillance,” Barrett said. “The recommendations in this report call on the NYPD to enhance its unmanned aircraft systems’ impact and use policy by providing additional details about the drone program and drone capabilities, thereby increasing public transparency related to [its] use of this technology.”
The report takes issue with the NYPD’s publicly available Impact and Use policy (IUP) for drone operations, arguing that it fails to fully disclose the capabilities of these devices. The policy, issued in September 2023, doesn’t adequately detail features such as mapping technologies, communication functionalities, and even a device capable of breaking glass when necessary. Furthermore, the IUP doesn’t comprehensively address potential health and safety risks associated with drone usage, nor the risk of damage to both public and private property.
?resize=700,452 700w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=768,496 768w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=1200,775 1200w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=1536,992 1536w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=384,248 384w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=900,581 900w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=1600,1033 1600w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=50,32 50w” sizes=”(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px”/>An NYPD officer demonstrates a drone in operation in Central Park during a Nov. 13, 2024 announcement with Mayor Eric Adams and police officials.
During the Adams management, the NYPD has increasingly relied upon drones for various purposes — from attempting to locate lost swimmers on the city’s beaches; to assisting the FDNY in battling wildfires; to monitoring protests; and to locating alleged criminals.
In November, Mayor Eric Adams and NYPD brass announced a new drone first responder program in Central Park and at five other police precincts across the city to add extra sets of eyes on the communities.
“We are leveraging the latest technology to enhance the NYPD’s emergency-response capabilities, remotely sending drones to the exact longitude and latitude of where an emergency call comes and sometimes in as little as a minute,” Mayor Adams said during the Nov. 13 announcement. “These drones will mean more efficient policing and will help increase the safety of our responding NYPD officers and New Yorkers.”
But the DOI’s report released Wednesday found that the NYPD’s IUP concerning drones did not “sufficiently disclose all of the information required by the POST Act,and does not provide a complete and accurate picture of all aspects of NYPD” drone operations in practice.”
Such as, though the NYPD’s IUP requires that all drone deployments are operated and supervised by the Technical Assistance and Response Unit (TARU), the DOI study found that multiple units within the department had their own drone programs — including the Transit Bureau, the Highway Patrolos’ Collision Technician Group, the Emergency Services Unit, the Counterterrorism Division and the Office of the Chief of Department.
Moreover,the study found that the commanding officer for a newly-formed Drone Team within the NYPD that consolidated several operational units reports directly to the Deputy Commissioner of Operations,Kaz Daughtry,rather than Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey,which is in conflict with the chain of command outlined in the NYPD IUP.
The NYPD’s drone policy also does not reflect that flight log information for the drones is now captured in the city’s FORMS database, so TARU was no longer required to maintain such logs. It also did not disclose the potential risks for the devices’ lithium-ion batteries, which have been known as notorious firestarters around the city in recent years.
“Drones can be a critical public safety tool capable of enhancing NYPD operations,” said DOI Commissioner Jocelyn E. Strauber. “However, this report found that NYPD’s impact and use policies do not fully and accurately describe the Department’s unmanned aircraft systems’ practices in certain respects and issued key recommendations to achieve that goal.”
The full DOI report can be found online at nyc.gov/doi.
Path of change
The DOI issued 10 recommendations for the NYPD to follow, all of which focus on updating its IUP for drone operations — including clearly outlining the approval, supervision and reporting structure for drone operations; listing all drone capabilities; fully disclosing health and safety impacts; and clearly establishing that the automated flight log information shoudl be posted in FORMS, rather than maintained by TARU.
amNewYork Metro reached out to the NYPD for comment and is awaiting a response.
the report did not come as a surprise to Albert Fox Cahn, executive director of the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (STOP) — a nonprofit watchdog that aims to stop mass surveillance and reinforce individual rights to privacy.
Cahn told amNewYork Metro that the DOI report “makes clear that the NYPD surveillance apparatus continues to brazenly break the law,and it’s long past time that the City Council takes action.”
“When it comes to NYPD’s illegal drone surveillance, the sky’s the limit,” Cahn said. “The POST Act never imagined a mayor who would so openly condone breaking the law, and the Council must amend the POST Act to hold the NYPD to account. The NYPD’s drone program is blatantly illegal, but it’s also a massive waste of money, sending drones to New Yorkers who actually need human help in an emergency.”
## NYPD Drone Program under Fire: A Conversation with the DOI’s Inspector General
**host:** Welcome back to Archyde News. Today, we’re discussing a new report from the Department of Inquiry that’s raising serious questions about the NYPD’s expanding drone program. Joining us is Jeanene Barrett,the DOI’s Inspector General for the NYPD,who led the investigation. Inspector General Barrett, thank you for being here.
**Jeanene Barrett:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** Your report highlights a notable increase in the NYPD’s use of drones. Can you tell our viewers what prompted this investigation?
**Jeanene Barrett:** Certainly. The NYPD’s use of drone technology has increased dramatically in recent years. While we recognize the potential benefits of this technology, our investigation stemmed from concerns about a lack of transparency and proper oversight regarding how these drones are being deployed and the potential impact on New Yorkers’ privacy.
**Host:** What were some of the key findings of your investigation?
**Jeanene Barrett:** Our investigation focused on the NYPD’s compliance with the Public Oversight of Surveillance Technology (POST) Act, a law designed to ensure accountability for the NYPD’s use of surveillance technologies. We found that the NYPD’s publicly available Impact and Use Policy (IUP) for drones lacks crucial details about the capabilities of these devices.
For example, it doesn’t fully disclose features like mapping technology, dialog functionalities, and even a device capable of breaking glass.
**Host:** Those sound like significant omissions. What are the implications of such a lack of transparency?
**jeanene barrett:** Transparency is crucial when it comes to surveillance technologies. The public has a right to know how these devices are being used and what capabilities they possess. without this information, it’s tough to assess the potential risks to privacy, safety, and civil liberties.
**Host:** The report also mentions concerns about the potential for misuse and lack of clear oversight. Can you elaborate on that?
**Jeanene Barrett:** We found that the NYPD’s drone program lacks a clear chain of command and robust supervision protocols. This raises concerns about potential for misuse and the potential for drones to be deployed in a manner that violates individual rights.
**Host:** Mayor Adams has championed the NYPD’s drone program, pointing to it’s potential benefits in areas like firefighting and search-and-rescue operations. How do you balance those potential benefits with the concerns raised in your report?
**Jeanene Barrett:** We recognize the potential benefits of drone technology when used responsibly. Our goal is not to stifle innovation, but to ensure that these technologies are deployed within a framework that protects privacy and civil liberties. That’s why we’re recommending the NYPD revise its IUP to be more transparent and accountable. We also urge the creation of a clearly defined chain of command for drone operations and the implementation of stronger supervision protocols.
**Host:** What steps can the public take to ensure the NYPD’s drone program is used responsibly?
**Jeanene Barrett:** Staying informed is key. Read the DOI report, familiarize yourself with the NYPD’s IUP, and attend community meetings where drone deployment is discussed. Advocate for greater transparency and hold elected officials accountable for ensuring responsible use of this technology.
**Host:** Inspector General barrett, thank you for shedding light on this critically important issue. We’ll continue to follow this story as it develops.
**Jeanene Barrett:** My pleasure.
A new report from the Department of Investigation (DOI) has raised concerns about the NYPD’s increasing reliance on drones. While acknowledging the department’s expanded use of unmanned aerial devices, the report criticizes the NYPD for lacking proper supervision protocols and a clear chain of command for its drone program. released on December 18th, 2024, the report highlights a growing public unease over drones flying above new York City [[1](https://www.nyc.gov/site/nypd/stats/reports-analysis/uas-drones.page)]and underscores the need for greater transparency surrounding their deployment.
The DOI’s investigation focused on the NYPD’s compliance with the Public Oversight of Surveillance Technology (POST) Act,a 2020 law designed to oversee the NYPD’s surveillance practices. Jeanene Barrett, the DOI’s Inspector-General for the NYPD, led the review.
“NYPD’s increase in drone usage in recent years has raised privacy concerns related to how drones are used to conduct police surveillance,” Barrett said. “The recommendations in this report call on the NYPD to enhance its unmanned aircraft systems’ impact and use policy by providing additional details about the drone program and drone capabilities, thereby increasing public transparency related to [its] use of this technology.”
The report takes issue with the NYPD’s publicly available Impact and Use policy (IUP) for drone operations, arguing that it fails to fully disclose the capabilities of these devices. The policy, issued in September 2023, doesn’t adequately detail features such as mapping technologies, communication functionalities, and even a device capable of breaking glass when necessary. Furthermore, the IUP doesn’t comprehensively address potential health and safety risks associated with drone usage, nor the risk of damage to both public and private property.
?resize=700,452 700w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=768,496 768w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=1200,775 1200w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=1536,992 1536w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=384,248 384w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=900,581 900w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=1600,1033 1600w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=50,32 50w” sizes=”(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px”/>An NYPD officer demonstrates a drone in operation in Central Park during a Nov. 13, 2024 announcement with Mayor Eric Adams and police officials.
During the Adams management, the NYPD has increasingly relied upon drones for various purposes — from attempting to locate lost swimmers on the city’s beaches; to assisting the FDNY in battling wildfires; to monitoring protests; and to locating alleged criminals.
In November, Mayor Eric Adams and NYPD brass announced a new drone first responder program in Central Park and at five other police precincts across the city to add extra sets of eyes on the communities.
“We are leveraging the latest technology to enhance the NYPD’s emergency-response capabilities, remotely sending drones to the exact longitude and latitude of where an emergency call comes and sometimes in as little as a minute,” Mayor Adams said during the Nov. 13 announcement. “These drones will mean more efficient policing and will help increase the safety of our responding NYPD officers and New Yorkers.”
But the DOI’s report released Wednesday found that the NYPD’s IUP concerning drones did not “sufficiently disclose all of the information required by the POST Act,and does not provide a complete and accurate picture of all aspects of NYPD” drone operations in practice.”
Such as, though the NYPD’s IUP requires that all drone deployments are operated and supervised by the Technical Assistance and Response Unit (TARU), the DOI study found that multiple units within the department had their own drone programs — including the Transit Bureau, the Highway Patrolos’ Collision Technician Group, the Emergency Services Unit, the Counterterrorism Division and the Office of the Chief of Department.
Moreover,the study found that the commanding officer for a newly-formed Drone Team within the NYPD that consolidated several operational units reports directly to the Deputy Commissioner of Operations,Kaz Daughtry,rather than Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey,which is in conflict with the chain of command outlined in the NYPD IUP.
The NYPD’s drone policy also does not reflect that flight log information for the drones is now captured in the city’s FORMS database, so TARU was no longer required to maintain such logs. It also did not disclose the potential risks for the devices’ lithium-ion batteries, which have been known as notorious firestarters around the city in recent years.
“Drones can be a critical public safety tool capable of enhancing NYPD operations,” said DOI Commissioner Jocelyn E. Strauber. “However, this report found that NYPD’s impact and use policies do not fully and accurately describe the Department’s unmanned aircraft systems’ practices in certain respects and issued key recommendations to achieve that goal.”
The full DOI report can be found online at nyc.gov/doi.
Path of change
The DOI issued 10 recommendations for the NYPD to follow, all of which focus on updating its IUP for drone operations — including clearly outlining the approval, supervision and reporting structure for drone operations; listing all drone capabilities; fully disclosing health and safety impacts; and clearly establishing that the automated flight log information shoudl be posted in FORMS, rather than maintained by TARU.
amNewYork Metro reached out to the NYPD for comment and is awaiting a response.
the report did not come as a surprise to Albert Fox Cahn, executive director of the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (STOP) — a nonprofit watchdog that aims to stop mass surveillance and reinforce individual rights to privacy.
Cahn told amNewYork Metro that the DOI report “makes clear that the NYPD surveillance apparatus continues to brazenly break the law,and it’s long past time that the City Council takes action.”
“When it comes to NYPD’s illegal drone surveillance, the sky’s the limit,” Cahn said. “The POST Act never imagined a mayor who would so openly condone breaking the law, and the Council must amend the POST Act to hold the NYPD to account. The NYPD’s drone program is blatantly illegal, but it’s also a massive waste of money, sending drones to New Yorkers who actually need human help in an emergency.”
## NYPD Drone Program under Fire: A Conversation with the DOI’s Inspector General
**host:** Welcome back to Archyde News. Today, we’re discussing a new report from the Department of Inquiry that’s raising serious questions about the NYPD’s expanding drone program. Joining us is Jeanene Barrett,the DOI’s Inspector General for the NYPD,who led the investigation. Inspector General Barrett, thank you for being here.
**Jeanene Barrett:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** Your report highlights a notable increase in the NYPD’s use of drones. Can you tell our viewers what prompted this investigation?
**Jeanene Barrett:** Certainly. The NYPD’s use of drone technology has increased dramatically in recent years. While we recognize the potential benefits of this technology, our investigation stemmed from concerns about a lack of transparency and proper oversight regarding how these drones are being deployed and the potential impact on New Yorkers’ privacy.
**Host:** What were some of the key findings of your investigation?
**Jeanene Barrett:** Our investigation focused on the NYPD’s compliance with the Public Oversight of Surveillance Technology (POST) Act, a law designed to ensure accountability for the NYPD’s use of surveillance technologies. We found that the NYPD’s publicly available Impact and Use Policy (IUP) for drones lacks crucial details about the capabilities of these devices.
For example, it doesn’t fully disclose features like mapping technology, dialog functionalities, and even a device capable of breaking glass.
**Host:** Those sound like significant omissions. What are the implications of such a lack of transparency?
**jeanene barrett:** Transparency is crucial when it comes to surveillance technologies. The public has a right to know how these devices are being used and what capabilities they possess. without this information, it’s tough to assess the potential risks to privacy, safety, and civil liberties.
**Host:** The report also mentions concerns about the potential for misuse and lack of clear oversight. Can you elaborate on that?
**Jeanene Barrett:** We found that the NYPD’s drone program lacks a clear chain of command and robust supervision protocols. This raises concerns about potential for misuse and the potential for drones to be deployed in a manner that violates individual rights.
**Host:** Mayor Adams has championed the NYPD’s drone program, pointing to it’s potential benefits in areas like firefighting and search-and-rescue operations. How do you balance those potential benefits with the concerns raised in your report?
**Jeanene Barrett:** We recognize the potential benefits of drone technology when used responsibly. Our goal is not to stifle innovation, but to ensure that these technologies are deployed within a framework that protects privacy and civil liberties. That’s why we’re recommending the NYPD revise its IUP to be more transparent and accountable. We also urge the creation of a clearly defined chain of command for drone operations and the implementation of stronger supervision protocols.
**Host:** What steps can the public take to ensure the NYPD’s drone program is used responsibly?
**Jeanene Barrett:** Staying informed is key. Read the DOI report, familiarize yourself with the NYPD’s IUP, and attend community meetings where drone deployment is discussed. Advocate for greater transparency and hold elected officials accountable for ensuring responsible use of this technology.
**Host:** Inspector General barrett, thank you for shedding light on this critically important issue. We’ll continue to follow this story as it develops.
The report takes issue with the NYPD’s publicly available Impact and Use policy (IUP) for drone operations, arguing that it fails to fully disclose the capabilities of these devices. The policy, issued in September 2023, doesn’t adequately detail features such as mapping technologies, communication functionalities, and even a device capable of breaking glass when necessary. Furthermore, the IUP doesn’t comprehensively address potential health and safety risks associated with drone usage, nor the risk of damage to both public and private property.
?resize=700,452 700w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=768,496 768w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=1200,775 1200w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=1536,992 1536w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=384,248 384w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=900,581 900w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=1600,1033 1600w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=50,32 50w” sizes=”(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px”/>An NYPD officer demonstrates a drone in operation in Central Park during a Nov. 13, 2024 announcement with Mayor Eric Adams and police officials.
During the Adams management, the NYPD has increasingly relied upon drones for various purposes — from attempting to locate lost swimmers on the city’s beaches; to assisting the FDNY in battling wildfires; to monitoring protests; and to locating alleged criminals.
In November, Mayor Eric Adams and NYPD brass announced a new drone first responder program in Central Park and at five other police precincts across the city to add extra sets of eyes on the communities.
“We are leveraging the latest technology to enhance the NYPD’s emergency-response capabilities, remotely sending drones to the exact longitude and latitude of where an emergency call comes and sometimes in as little as a minute,” Mayor Adams said during the Nov. 13 announcement. “These drones will mean more efficient policing and will help increase the safety of our responding NYPD officers and New Yorkers.”
But the DOI’s report released Wednesday found that the NYPD’s IUP concerning drones did not “sufficiently disclose all of the information required by the POST Act,and does not provide a complete and accurate picture of all aspects of NYPD” drone operations in practice.”
Such as, though the NYPD’s IUP requires that all drone deployments are operated and supervised by the Technical Assistance and Response Unit (TARU), the DOI study found that multiple units within the department had their own drone programs — including the Transit Bureau, the Highway Patrolos’ Collision Technician Group, the Emergency Services Unit, the Counterterrorism Division and the Office of the Chief of Department.
Moreover,the study found that the commanding officer for a newly-formed Drone Team within the NYPD that consolidated several operational units reports directly to the Deputy Commissioner of Operations,Kaz Daughtry,rather than Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey,which is in conflict with the chain of command outlined in the NYPD IUP.
The NYPD’s drone policy also does not reflect that flight log information for the drones is now captured in the city’s FORMS database, so TARU was no longer required to maintain such logs. It also did not disclose the potential risks for the devices’ lithium-ion batteries, which have been known as notorious firestarters around the city in recent years.
“Drones can be a critical public safety tool capable of enhancing NYPD operations,” said DOI Commissioner Jocelyn E. Strauber. “However, this report found that NYPD’s impact and use policies do not fully and accurately describe the Department’s unmanned aircraft systems’ practices in certain respects and issued key recommendations to achieve that goal.”
The full DOI report can be found online at nyc.gov/doi.
Path of change
The DOI issued 10 recommendations for the NYPD to follow, all of which focus on updating its IUP for drone operations — including clearly outlining the approval, supervision and reporting structure for drone operations; listing all drone capabilities; fully disclosing health and safety impacts; and clearly establishing that the automated flight log information shoudl be posted in FORMS, rather than maintained by TARU.
amNewYork Metro reached out to the NYPD for comment and is awaiting a response.
the report did not come as a surprise to Albert Fox Cahn, executive director of the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (STOP) — a nonprofit watchdog that aims to stop mass surveillance and reinforce individual rights to privacy.
Cahn told amNewYork Metro that the DOI report “makes clear that the NYPD surveillance apparatus continues to brazenly break the law,and it’s long past time that the City Council takes action.”
“When it comes to NYPD’s illegal drone surveillance, the sky’s the limit,” Cahn said. “The POST Act never imagined a mayor who would so openly condone breaking the law, and the Council must amend the POST Act to hold the NYPD to account. The NYPD’s drone program is blatantly illegal, but it’s also a massive waste of money, sending drones to New Yorkers who actually need human help in an emergency.”
## NYPD Drone Program under Fire: A Conversation with the DOI’s Inspector General
**host:** Welcome back to Archyde News. Today, we’re discussing a new report from the Department of Inquiry that’s raising serious questions about the NYPD’s expanding drone program. Joining us is Jeanene Barrett,the DOI’s Inspector General for the NYPD,who led the investigation. Inspector General Barrett, thank you for being here.
**Jeanene Barrett:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** Your report highlights a notable increase in the NYPD’s use of drones. Can you tell our viewers what prompted this investigation?
**Jeanene Barrett:** Certainly. The NYPD’s use of drone technology has increased dramatically in recent years. While we recognize the potential benefits of this technology, our investigation stemmed from concerns about a lack of transparency and proper oversight regarding how these drones are being deployed and the potential impact on New Yorkers’ privacy.
**Host:** What were some of the key findings of your investigation?
**Jeanene Barrett:** Our investigation focused on the NYPD’s compliance with the Public Oversight of Surveillance Technology (POST) Act, a law designed to ensure accountability for the NYPD’s use of surveillance technologies. We found that the NYPD’s publicly available Impact and Use Policy (IUP) for drones lacks crucial details about the capabilities of these devices.
For example, it doesn’t fully disclose features like mapping technology, dialog functionalities, and even a device capable of breaking glass.
**Host:** Those sound like significant omissions. What are the implications of such a lack of transparency?
**jeanene barrett:** Transparency is crucial when it comes to surveillance technologies. The public has a right to know how these devices are being used and what capabilities they possess. without this information, it’s tough to assess the potential risks to privacy, safety, and civil liberties.
**Host:** The report also mentions concerns about the potential for misuse and lack of clear oversight. Can you elaborate on that?
**Jeanene Barrett:** We found that the NYPD’s drone program lacks a clear chain of command and robust supervision protocols. This raises concerns about potential for misuse and the potential for drones to be deployed in a manner that violates individual rights.
**Host:** Mayor Adams has championed the NYPD’s drone program, pointing to it’s potential benefits in areas like firefighting and search-and-rescue operations. How do you balance those potential benefits with the concerns raised in your report?
**Jeanene Barrett:** We recognize the potential benefits of drone technology when used responsibly. Our goal is not to stifle innovation, but to ensure that these technologies are deployed within a framework that protects privacy and civil liberties. That’s why we’re recommending the NYPD revise its IUP to be more transparent and accountable. We also urge the creation of a clearly defined chain of command for drone operations and the implementation of stronger supervision protocols.
**Host:** What steps can the public take to ensure the NYPD’s drone program is used responsibly?
**Jeanene Barrett:** Staying informed is key. Read the DOI report, familiarize yourself with the NYPD’s IUP, and attend community meetings where drone deployment is discussed. Advocate for greater transparency and hold elected officials accountable for ensuring responsible use of this technology.
**Host:** Inspector General barrett, thank you for shedding light on this critically important issue. We’ll continue to follow this story as it develops.
**Jeanene Barrett:** My pleasure.
A new report from the Department of Investigation (DOI) has raised concerns about the NYPD’s increasing reliance on drones. While acknowledging the department’s expanded use of unmanned aerial devices, the report criticizes the NYPD for lacking proper supervision protocols and a clear chain of command for its drone program. released on December 18th, 2024, the report highlights a growing public unease over drones flying above new York City [[1](https://www.nyc.gov/site/nypd/stats/reports-analysis/uas-drones.page)]and underscores the need for greater transparency surrounding their deployment.
The DOI’s investigation focused on the NYPD’s compliance with the Public Oversight of Surveillance Technology (POST) Act,a 2020 law designed to oversee the NYPD’s surveillance practices. Jeanene Barrett, the DOI’s Inspector-General for the NYPD, led the review.
“NYPD’s increase in drone usage in recent years has raised privacy concerns related to how drones are used to conduct police surveillance,” Barrett said. “The recommendations in this report call on the NYPD to enhance its unmanned aircraft systems’ impact and use policy by providing additional details about the drone program and drone capabilities, thereby increasing public transparency related to [its] use of this technology.”
The report takes issue with the NYPD’s publicly available Impact and Use policy (IUP) for drone operations, arguing that it fails to fully disclose the capabilities of these devices. The policy, issued in September 2023, doesn’t adequately detail features such as mapping technologies, communication functionalities, and even a device capable of breaking glass when necessary. Furthermore, the IUP doesn’t comprehensively address potential health and safety risks associated with drone usage, nor the risk of damage to both public and private property.
?resize=700,452 700w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=768,496 768w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=1200,775 1200w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=1536,992 1536w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=384,248 384w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=900,581 900w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=1600,1033 1600w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=50,32 50w” sizes=”(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px”/>An NYPD officer demonstrates a drone in operation in Central Park during a Nov. 13, 2024 announcement with Mayor Eric Adams and police officials.
During the Adams management, the NYPD has increasingly relied upon drones for various purposes — from attempting to locate lost swimmers on the city’s beaches; to assisting the FDNY in battling wildfires; to monitoring protests; and to locating alleged criminals.
In November, Mayor Eric Adams and NYPD brass announced a new drone first responder program in Central Park and at five other police precincts across the city to add extra sets of eyes on the communities.
“We are leveraging the latest technology to enhance the NYPD’s emergency-response capabilities, remotely sending drones to the exact longitude and latitude of where an emergency call comes and sometimes in as little as a minute,” Mayor Adams said during the Nov. 13 announcement. “These drones will mean more efficient policing and will help increase the safety of our responding NYPD officers and New Yorkers.”
But the DOI’s report released Wednesday found that the NYPD’s IUP concerning drones did not “sufficiently disclose all of the information required by the POST Act,and does not provide a complete and accurate picture of all aspects of NYPD” drone operations in practice.”
Such as, though the NYPD’s IUP requires that all drone deployments are operated and supervised by the Technical Assistance and Response Unit (TARU), the DOI study found that multiple units within the department had their own drone programs — including the Transit Bureau, the Highway Patrolos’ Collision Technician Group, the Emergency Services Unit, the Counterterrorism Division and the Office of the Chief of Department.
Moreover,the study found that the commanding officer for a newly-formed Drone Team within the NYPD that consolidated several operational units reports directly to the Deputy Commissioner of Operations,Kaz Daughtry,rather than Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey,which is in conflict with the chain of command outlined in the NYPD IUP.
The NYPD’s drone policy also does not reflect that flight log information for the drones is now captured in the city’s FORMS database, so TARU was no longer required to maintain such logs. It also did not disclose the potential risks for the devices’ lithium-ion batteries, which have been known as notorious firestarters around the city in recent years.
“Drones can be a critical public safety tool capable of enhancing NYPD operations,” said DOI Commissioner Jocelyn E. Strauber. “However, this report found that NYPD’s impact and use policies do not fully and accurately describe the Department’s unmanned aircraft systems’ practices in certain respects and issued key recommendations to achieve that goal.”
The full DOI report can be found online at nyc.gov/doi.
Path of change
The DOI issued 10 recommendations for the NYPD to follow, all of which focus on updating its IUP for drone operations — including clearly outlining the approval, supervision and reporting structure for drone operations; listing all drone capabilities; fully disclosing health and safety impacts; and clearly establishing that the automated flight log information shoudl be posted in FORMS, rather than maintained by TARU.
amNewYork Metro reached out to the NYPD for comment and is awaiting a response.
the report did not come as a surprise to Albert Fox Cahn, executive director of the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (STOP) — a nonprofit watchdog that aims to stop mass surveillance and reinforce individual rights to privacy.
Cahn told amNewYork Metro that the DOI report “makes clear that the NYPD surveillance apparatus continues to brazenly break the law,and it’s long past time that the City Council takes action.”
“When it comes to NYPD’s illegal drone surveillance, the sky’s the limit,” Cahn said. “The POST Act never imagined a mayor who would so openly condone breaking the law, and the Council must amend the POST Act to hold the NYPD to account. The NYPD’s drone program is blatantly illegal, but it’s also a massive waste of money, sending drones to New Yorkers who actually need human help in an emergency.”
## NYPD Drone Program under Fire: A Conversation with the DOI’s Inspector General
**host:** Welcome back to Archyde News. Today, we’re discussing a new report from the Department of Inquiry that’s raising serious questions about the NYPD’s expanding drone program. Joining us is Jeanene Barrett,the DOI’s Inspector General for the NYPD,who led the investigation. Inspector General Barrett, thank you for being here.
**Jeanene Barrett:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** Your report highlights a notable increase in the NYPD’s use of drones. Can you tell our viewers what prompted this investigation?
**Jeanene Barrett:** Certainly. The NYPD’s use of drone technology has increased dramatically in recent years. While we recognize the potential benefits of this technology, our investigation stemmed from concerns about a lack of transparency and proper oversight regarding how these drones are being deployed and the potential impact on New Yorkers’ privacy.
**Host:** What were some of the key findings of your investigation?
**Jeanene Barrett:** Our investigation focused on the NYPD’s compliance with the Public Oversight of Surveillance Technology (POST) Act, a law designed to ensure accountability for the NYPD’s use of surveillance technologies. We found that the NYPD’s publicly available Impact and Use Policy (IUP) for drones lacks crucial details about the capabilities of these devices.
For example, it doesn’t fully disclose features like mapping technology, dialog functionalities, and even a device capable of breaking glass.
**Host:** Those sound like significant omissions. What are the implications of such a lack of transparency?
**jeanene barrett:** Transparency is crucial when it comes to surveillance technologies. The public has a right to know how these devices are being used and what capabilities they possess. without this information, it’s tough to assess the potential risks to privacy, safety, and civil liberties.
**Host:** The report also mentions concerns about the potential for misuse and lack of clear oversight. Can you elaborate on that?
**Jeanene Barrett:** We found that the NYPD’s drone program lacks a clear chain of command and robust supervision protocols. This raises concerns about potential for misuse and the potential for drones to be deployed in a manner that violates individual rights.
**Host:** Mayor Adams has championed the NYPD’s drone program, pointing to it’s potential benefits in areas like firefighting and search-and-rescue operations. How do you balance those potential benefits with the concerns raised in your report?
**Jeanene Barrett:** We recognize the potential benefits of drone technology when used responsibly. Our goal is not to stifle innovation, but to ensure that these technologies are deployed within a framework that protects privacy and civil liberties. That’s why we’re recommending the NYPD revise its IUP to be more transparent and accountable. We also urge the creation of a clearly defined chain of command for drone operations and the implementation of stronger supervision protocols.
**Host:** What steps can the public take to ensure the NYPD’s drone program is used responsibly?
**Jeanene Barrett:** Staying informed is key. Read the DOI report, familiarize yourself with the NYPD’s IUP, and attend community meetings where drone deployment is discussed. Advocate for greater transparency and hold elected officials accountable for ensuring responsible use of this technology.
**Host:** Inspector General barrett, thank you for shedding light on this critically important issue. We’ll continue to follow this story as it develops.
**Jeanene Barrett:** My pleasure.
A new report from the Department of Investigation (DOI) has raised concerns about the NYPD’s increasing reliance on drones. While acknowledging the department’s expanded use of unmanned aerial devices, the report criticizes the NYPD for lacking proper supervision protocols and a clear chain of command for its drone program. released on December 18th, 2024, the report highlights a growing public unease over drones flying above new York City [[1](https://www.nyc.gov/site/nypd/stats/reports-analysis/uas-drones.page)]and underscores the need for greater transparency surrounding their deployment.
The DOI’s investigation focused on the NYPD’s compliance with the Public Oversight of Surveillance Technology (POST) Act,a 2020 law designed to oversee the NYPD’s surveillance practices. Jeanene Barrett, the DOI’s Inspector-General for the NYPD, led the review.
“NYPD’s increase in drone usage in recent years has raised privacy concerns related to how drones are used to conduct police surveillance,” Barrett said. “The recommendations in this report call on the NYPD to enhance its unmanned aircraft systems’ impact and use policy by providing additional details about the drone program and drone capabilities, thereby increasing public transparency related to [its] use of this technology.”
The report takes issue with the NYPD’s publicly available Impact and Use policy (IUP) for drone operations, arguing that it fails to fully disclose the capabilities of these devices. The policy, issued in September 2023, doesn’t adequately detail features such as mapping technologies, communication functionalities, and even a device capable of breaking glass when necessary. Furthermore, the IUP doesn’t comprehensively address potential health and safety risks associated with drone usage, nor the risk of damage to both public and private property.
?resize=700,452 700w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=768,496 768w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=1200,775 1200w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=1536,992 1536w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=384,248 384w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=900,581 900w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=1600,1033 1600w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=50,32 50w” sizes=”(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px”/>An NYPD officer demonstrates a drone in operation in Central Park during a Nov. 13, 2024 announcement with Mayor Eric Adams and police officials.
During the Adams management, the NYPD has increasingly relied upon drones for various purposes — from attempting to locate lost swimmers on the city’s beaches; to assisting the FDNY in battling wildfires; to monitoring protests; and to locating alleged criminals.
In November, Mayor Eric Adams and NYPD brass announced a new drone first responder program in Central Park and at five other police precincts across the city to add extra sets of eyes on the communities.
“We are leveraging the latest technology to enhance the NYPD’s emergency-response capabilities, remotely sending drones to the exact longitude and latitude of where an emergency call comes and sometimes in as little as a minute,” Mayor Adams said during the Nov. 13 announcement. “These drones will mean more efficient policing and will help increase the safety of our responding NYPD officers and New Yorkers.”
But the DOI’s report released Wednesday found that the NYPD’s IUP concerning drones did not “sufficiently disclose all of the information required by the POST Act,and does not provide a complete and accurate picture of all aspects of NYPD” drone operations in practice.”
Such as, though the NYPD’s IUP requires that all drone deployments are operated and supervised by the Technical Assistance and Response Unit (TARU), the DOI study found that multiple units within the department had their own drone programs — including the Transit Bureau, the Highway Patrolos’ Collision Technician Group, the Emergency Services Unit, the Counterterrorism Division and the Office of the Chief of Department.
Moreover,the study found that the commanding officer for a newly-formed Drone Team within the NYPD that consolidated several operational units reports directly to the Deputy Commissioner of Operations,Kaz Daughtry,rather than Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey,which is in conflict with the chain of command outlined in the NYPD IUP.
The NYPD’s drone policy also does not reflect that flight log information for the drones is now captured in the city’s FORMS database, so TARU was no longer required to maintain such logs. It also did not disclose the potential risks for the devices’ lithium-ion batteries, which have been known as notorious firestarters around the city in recent years.
“Drones can be a critical public safety tool capable of enhancing NYPD operations,” said DOI Commissioner Jocelyn E. Strauber. “However, this report found that NYPD’s impact and use policies do not fully and accurately describe the Department’s unmanned aircraft systems’ practices in certain respects and issued key recommendations to achieve that goal.”
The full DOI report can be found online at nyc.gov/doi.
Path of change
The DOI issued 10 recommendations for the NYPD to follow, all of which focus on updating its IUP for drone operations — including clearly outlining the approval, supervision and reporting structure for drone operations; listing all drone capabilities; fully disclosing health and safety impacts; and clearly establishing that the automated flight log information shoudl be posted in FORMS, rather than maintained by TARU.
amNewYork Metro reached out to the NYPD for comment and is awaiting a response.
the report did not come as a surprise to Albert Fox Cahn, executive director of the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (STOP) — a nonprofit watchdog that aims to stop mass surveillance and reinforce individual rights to privacy.
Cahn told amNewYork Metro that the DOI report “makes clear that the NYPD surveillance apparatus continues to brazenly break the law,and it’s long past time that the City Council takes action.”
“When it comes to NYPD’s illegal drone surveillance, the sky’s the limit,” Cahn said. “The POST Act never imagined a mayor who would so openly condone breaking the law, and the Council must amend the POST Act to hold the NYPD to account. The NYPD’s drone program is blatantly illegal, but it’s also a massive waste of money, sending drones to New Yorkers who actually need human help in an emergency.”
## NYPD Drone Program under Fire: A Conversation with the DOI’s Inspector General
**host:** Welcome back to Archyde News. Today, we’re discussing a new report from the Department of Inquiry that’s raising serious questions about the NYPD’s expanding drone program. Joining us is Jeanene Barrett,the DOI’s Inspector General for the NYPD,who led the investigation. Inspector General Barrett, thank you for being here.
**Jeanene Barrett:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** Your report highlights a notable increase in the NYPD’s use of drones. Can you tell our viewers what prompted this investigation?
**Jeanene Barrett:** Certainly. The NYPD’s use of drone technology has increased dramatically in recent years. While we recognize the potential benefits of this technology, our investigation stemmed from concerns about a lack of transparency and proper oversight regarding how these drones are being deployed and the potential impact on New Yorkers’ privacy.
**Host:** What were some of the key findings of your investigation?
**Jeanene Barrett:** Our investigation focused on the NYPD’s compliance with the Public Oversight of Surveillance Technology (POST) Act, a law designed to ensure accountability for the NYPD’s use of surveillance technologies. We found that the NYPD’s publicly available Impact and Use Policy (IUP) for drones lacks crucial details about the capabilities of these devices.
For example, it doesn’t fully disclose features like mapping technology, dialog functionalities, and even a device capable of breaking glass.
**Host:** Those sound like significant omissions. What are the implications of such a lack of transparency?
**jeanene barrett:** Transparency is crucial when it comes to surveillance technologies. The public has a right to know how these devices are being used and what capabilities they possess. without this information, it’s tough to assess the potential risks to privacy, safety, and civil liberties.
**Host:** The report also mentions concerns about the potential for misuse and lack of clear oversight. Can you elaborate on that?
**Jeanene Barrett:** We found that the NYPD’s drone program lacks a clear chain of command and robust supervision protocols. This raises concerns about potential for misuse and the potential for drones to be deployed in a manner that violates individual rights.
**Host:** Mayor Adams has championed the NYPD’s drone program, pointing to it’s potential benefits in areas like firefighting and search-and-rescue operations. How do you balance those potential benefits with the concerns raised in your report?
**Jeanene Barrett:** We recognize the potential benefits of drone technology when used responsibly. Our goal is not to stifle innovation, but to ensure that these technologies are deployed within a framework that protects privacy and civil liberties. That’s why we’re recommending the NYPD revise its IUP to be more transparent and accountable. We also urge the creation of a clearly defined chain of command for drone operations and the implementation of stronger supervision protocols.
**Host:** What steps can the public take to ensure the NYPD’s drone program is used responsibly?
**Jeanene Barrett:** Staying informed is key. Read the DOI report, familiarize yourself with the NYPD’s IUP, and attend community meetings where drone deployment is discussed. Advocate for greater transparency and hold elected officials accountable for ensuring responsible use of this technology.
**Host:** Inspector General barrett, thank you for shedding light on this critically important issue. We’ll continue to follow this story as it develops.
The report takes issue with the NYPD’s publicly available Impact and Use policy (IUP) for drone operations, arguing that it fails to fully disclose the capabilities of these devices. The policy, issued in September 2023, doesn’t adequately detail features such as mapping technologies, communication functionalities, and even a device capable of breaking glass when necessary. Furthermore, the IUP doesn’t comprehensively address potential health and safety risks associated with drone usage, nor the risk of damage to both public and private property.
?resize=700,452 700w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=768,496 768w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=1200,775 1200w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=1536,992 1536w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=384,248 384w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=900,581 900w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=1600,1033 1600w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=50,32 50w” sizes=”(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px”/>An NYPD officer demonstrates a drone in operation in Central Park during a Nov. 13, 2024 announcement with Mayor Eric Adams and police officials.
During the Adams management, the NYPD has increasingly relied upon drones for various purposes — from attempting to locate lost swimmers on the city’s beaches; to assisting the FDNY in battling wildfires; to monitoring protests; and to locating alleged criminals.
In November, Mayor Eric Adams and NYPD brass announced a new drone first responder program in Central Park and at five other police precincts across the city to add extra sets of eyes on the communities.
“We are leveraging the latest technology to enhance the NYPD’s emergency-response capabilities, remotely sending drones to the exact longitude and latitude of where an emergency call comes and sometimes in as little as a minute,” Mayor Adams said during the Nov. 13 announcement. “These drones will mean more efficient policing and will help increase the safety of our responding NYPD officers and New Yorkers.”
But the DOI’s report released Wednesday found that the NYPD’s IUP concerning drones did not “sufficiently disclose all of the information required by the POST Act,and does not provide a complete and accurate picture of all aspects of NYPD” drone operations in practice.”
Such as, though the NYPD’s IUP requires that all drone deployments are operated and supervised by the Technical Assistance and Response Unit (TARU), the DOI study found that multiple units within the department had their own drone programs — including the Transit Bureau, the Highway Patrolos’ Collision Technician Group, the Emergency Services Unit, the Counterterrorism Division and the Office of the Chief of Department.
Moreover,the study found that the commanding officer for a newly-formed Drone Team within the NYPD that consolidated several operational units reports directly to the Deputy Commissioner of Operations,Kaz Daughtry,rather than Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey,which is in conflict with the chain of command outlined in the NYPD IUP.
The NYPD’s drone policy also does not reflect that flight log information for the drones is now captured in the city’s FORMS database, so TARU was no longer required to maintain such logs. It also did not disclose the potential risks for the devices’ lithium-ion batteries, which have been known as notorious firestarters around the city in recent years.
“Drones can be a critical public safety tool capable of enhancing NYPD operations,” said DOI Commissioner Jocelyn E. Strauber. “However, this report found that NYPD’s impact and use policies do not fully and accurately describe the Department’s unmanned aircraft systems’ practices in certain respects and issued key recommendations to achieve that goal.”
The full DOI report can be found online at nyc.gov/doi.
Path of change
The DOI issued 10 recommendations for the NYPD to follow, all of which focus on updating its IUP for drone operations — including clearly outlining the approval, supervision and reporting structure for drone operations; listing all drone capabilities; fully disclosing health and safety impacts; and clearly establishing that the automated flight log information shoudl be posted in FORMS, rather than maintained by TARU.
amNewYork Metro reached out to the NYPD for comment and is awaiting a response.
the report did not come as a surprise to Albert Fox Cahn, executive director of the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (STOP) — a nonprofit watchdog that aims to stop mass surveillance and reinforce individual rights to privacy.
Cahn told amNewYork Metro that the DOI report “makes clear that the NYPD surveillance apparatus continues to brazenly break the law,and it’s long past time that the City Council takes action.”
“When it comes to NYPD’s illegal drone surveillance, the sky’s the limit,” Cahn said. “The POST Act never imagined a mayor who would so openly condone breaking the law, and the Council must amend the POST Act to hold the NYPD to account. The NYPD’s drone program is blatantly illegal, but it’s also a massive waste of money, sending drones to New Yorkers who actually need human help in an emergency.”
## NYPD Drone Program under Fire: A Conversation with the DOI’s Inspector General
**host:** Welcome back to Archyde News. Today, we’re discussing a new report from the Department of Inquiry that’s raising serious questions about the NYPD’s expanding drone program. Joining us is Jeanene Barrett,the DOI’s Inspector General for the NYPD,who led the investigation. Inspector General Barrett, thank you for being here.
**Jeanene Barrett:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** Your report highlights a notable increase in the NYPD’s use of drones. Can you tell our viewers what prompted this investigation?
**Jeanene Barrett:** Certainly. The NYPD’s use of drone technology has increased dramatically in recent years. While we recognize the potential benefits of this technology, our investigation stemmed from concerns about a lack of transparency and proper oversight regarding how these drones are being deployed and the potential impact on New Yorkers’ privacy.
**Host:** What were some of the key findings of your investigation?
**Jeanene Barrett:** Our investigation focused on the NYPD’s compliance with the Public Oversight of Surveillance Technology (POST) Act, a law designed to ensure accountability for the NYPD’s use of surveillance technologies. We found that the NYPD’s publicly available Impact and Use Policy (IUP) for drones lacks crucial details about the capabilities of these devices.
For example, it doesn’t fully disclose features like mapping technology, dialog functionalities, and even a device capable of breaking glass.
**Host:** Those sound like significant omissions. What are the implications of such a lack of transparency?
**jeanene barrett:** Transparency is crucial when it comes to surveillance technologies. The public has a right to know how these devices are being used and what capabilities they possess. without this information, it’s tough to assess the potential risks to privacy, safety, and civil liberties.
**Host:** The report also mentions concerns about the potential for misuse and lack of clear oversight. Can you elaborate on that?
**Jeanene Barrett:** We found that the NYPD’s drone program lacks a clear chain of command and robust supervision protocols. This raises concerns about potential for misuse and the potential for drones to be deployed in a manner that violates individual rights.
**Host:** Mayor Adams has championed the NYPD’s drone program, pointing to it’s potential benefits in areas like firefighting and search-and-rescue operations. How do you balance those potential benefits with the concerns raised in your report?
**Jeanene Barrett:** We recognize the potential benefits of drone technology when used responsibly. Our goal is not to stifle innovation, but to ensure that these technologies are deployed within a framework that protects privacy and civil liberties. That’s why we’re recommending the NYPD revise its IUP to be more transparent and accountable. We also urge the creation of a clearly defined chain of command for drone operations and the implementation of stronger supervision protocols.
**Host:** What steps can the public take to ensure the NYPD’s drone program is used responsibly?
**Jeanene Barrett:** Staying informed is key. Read the DOI report, familiarize yourself with the NYPD’s IUP, and attend community meetings where drone deployment is discussed. Advocate for greater transparency and hold elected officials accountable for ensuring responsible use of this technology.
**Host:** Inspector General barrett, thank you for shedding light on this critically important issue. We’ll continue to follow this story as it develops.
**Jeanene Barrett:** My pleasure.
A new report from the Department of Investigation (DOI) has raised concerns about the NYPD’s increasing reliance on drones. While acknowledging the department’s expanded use of unmanned aerial devices, the report criticizes the NYPD for lacking proper supervision protocols and a clear chain of command for its drone program. released on December 18th, 2024, the report highlights a growing public unease over drones flying above new York City [[1](https://www.nyc.gov/site/nypd/stats/reports-analysis/uas-drones.page)]and underscores the need for greater transparency surrounding their deployment.
The DOI’s investigation focused on the NYPD’s compliance with the Public Oversight of Surveillance Technology (POST) Act,a 2020 law designed to oversee the NYPD’s surveillance practices. Jeanene Barrett, the DOI’s Inspector-General for the NYPD, led the review.
“NYPD’s increase in drone usage in recent years has raised privacy concerns related to how drones are used to conduct police surveillance,” Barrett said. “The recommendations in this report call on the NYPD to enhance its unmanned aircraft systems’ impact and use policy by providing additional details about the drone program and drone capabilities, thereby increasing public transparency related to [its] use of this technology.”
The report takes issue with the NYPD’s publicly available Impact and Use policy (IUP) for drone operations, arguing that it fails to fully disclose the capabilities of these devices. The policy, issued in September 2023, doesn’t adequately detail features such as mapping technologies, communication functionalities, and even a device capable of breaking glass when necessary. Furthermore, the IUP doesn’t comprehensively address potential health and safety risks associated with drone usage, nor the risk of damage to both public and private property.
?resize=700,452 700w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=768,496 768w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=1200,775 1200w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=1536,992 1536w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=384,248 384w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=900,581 900w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=1600,1033 1600w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=50,32 50w” sizes=”(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px”/>An NYPD officer demonstrates a drone in operation in Central Park during a Nov. 13, 2024 announcement with Mayor Eric Adams and police officials.
During the Adams management, the NYPD has increasingly relied upon drones for various purposes — from attempting to locate lost swimmers on the city’s beaches; to assisting the FDNY in battling wildfires; to monitoring protests; and to locating alleged criminals.
In November, Mayor Eric Adams and NYPD brass announced a new drone first responder program in Central Park and at five other police precincts across the city to add extra sets of eyes on the communities.
“We are leveraging the latest technology to enhance the NYPD’s emergency-response capabilities, remotely sending drones to the exact longitude and latitude of where an emergency call comes and sometimes in as little as a minute,” Mayor Adams said during the Nov. 13 announcement. “These drones will mean more efficient policing and will help increase the safety of our responding NYPD officers and New Yorkers.”
But the DOI’s report released Wednesday found that the NYPD’s IUP concerning drones did not “sufficiently disclose all of the information required by the POST Act,and does not provide a complete and accurate picture of all aspects of NYPD” drone operations in practice.”
Such as, though the NYPD’s IUP requires that all drone deployments are operated and supervised by the Technical Assistance and Response Unit (TARU), the DOI study found that multiple units within the department had their own drone programs — including the Transit Bureau, the Highway Patrolos’ Collision Technician Group, the Emergency Services Unit, the Counterterrorism Division and the Office of the Chief of Department.
Moreover,the study found that the commanding officer for a newly-formed Drone Team within the NYPD that consolidated several operational units reports directly to the Deputy Commissioner of Operations,Kaz Daughtry,rather than Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey,which is in conflict with the chain of command outlined in the NYPD IUP.
The NYPD’s drone policy also does not reflect that flight log information for the drones is now captured in the city’s FORMS database, so TARU was no longer required to maintain such logs. It also did not disclose the potential risks for the devices’ lithium-ion batteries, which have been known as notorious firestarters around the city in recent years.
“Drones can be a critical public safety tool capable of enhancing NYPD operations,” said DOI Commissioner Jocelyn E. Strauber. “However, this report found that NYPD’s impact and use policies do not fully and accurately describe the Department’s unmanned aircraft systems’ practices in certain respects and issued key recommendations to achieve that goal.”
The full DOI report can be found online at nyc.gov/doi.
Path of change
The DOI issued 10 recommendations for the NYPD to follow, all of which focus on updating its IUP for drone operations — including clearly outlining the approval, supervision and reporting structure for drone operations; listing all drone capabilities; fully disclosing health and safety impacts; and clearly establishing that the automated flight log information shoudl be posted in FORMS, rather than maintained by TARU.
amNewYork Metro reached out to the NYPD for comment and is awaiting a response.
the report did not come as a surprise to Albert Fox Cahn, executive director of the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (STOP) — a nonprofit watchdog that aims to stop mass surveillance and reinforce individual rights to privacy.
Cahn told amNewYork Metro that the DOI report “makes clear that the NYPD surveillance apparatus continues to brazenly break the law,and it’s long past time that the City Council takes action.”
“When it comes to NYPD’s illegal drone surveillance, the sky’s the limit,” Cahn said. “The POST Act never imagined a mayor who would so openly condone breaking the law, and the Council must amend the POST Act to hold the NYPD to account. The NYPD’s drone program is blatantly illegal, but it’s also a massive waste of money, sending drones to New Yorkers who actually need human help in an emergency.”
## NYPD Drone Program under Fire: A Conversation with the DOI’s Inspector General
**host:** Welcome back to Archyde News. Today, we’re discussing a new report from the Department of Inquiry that’s raising serious questions about the NYPD’s expanding drone program. Joining us is Jeanene Barrett,the DOI’s Inspector General for the NYPD,who led the investigation. Inspector General Barrett, thank you for being here.
**Jeanene Barrett:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** Your report highlights a notable increase in the NYPD’s use of drones. Can you tell our viewers what prompted this investigation?
**Jeanene Barrett:** Certainly. The NYPD’s use of drone technology has increased dramatically in recent years. While we recognize the potential benefits of this technology, our investigation stemmed from concerns about a lack of transparency and proper oversight regarding how these drones are being deployed and the potential impact on New Yorkers’ privacy.
**Host:** What were some of the key findings of your investigation?
**Jeanene Barrett:** Our investigation focused on the NYPD’s compliance with the Public Oversight of Surveillance Technology (POST) Act, a law designed to ensure accountability for the NYPD’s use of surveillance technologies. We found that the NYPD’s publicly available Impact and Use Policy (IUP) for drones lacks crucial details about the capabilities of these devices.
For example, it doesn’t fully disclose features like mapping technology, dialog functionalities, and even a device capable of breaking glass.
**Host:** Those sound like significant omissions. What are the implications of such a lack of transparency?
**jeanene barrett:** Transparency is crucial when it comes to surveillance technologies. The public has a right to know how these devices are being used and what capabilities they possess. without this information, it’s tough to assess the potential risks to privacy, safety, and civil liberties.
**Host:** The report also mentions concerns about the potential for misuse and lack of clear oversight. Can you elaborate on that?
**Jeanene Barrett:** We found that the NYPD’s drone program lacks a clear chain of command and robust supervision protocols. This raises concerns about potential for misuse and the potential for drones to be deployed in a manner that violates individual rights.
**Host:** Mayor Adams has championed the NYPD’s drone program, pointing to it’s potential benefits in areas like firefighting and search-and-rescue operations. How do you balance those potential benefits with the concerns raised in your report?
**Jeanene Barrett:** We recognize the potential benefits of drone technology when used responsibly. Our goal is not to stifle innovation, but to ensure that these technologies are deployed within a framework that protects privacy and civil liberties. That’s why we’re recommending the NYPD revise its IUP to be more transparent and accountable. We also urge the creation of a clearly defined chain of command for drone operations and the implementation of stronger supervision protocols.
**Host:** What steps can the public take to ensure the NYPD’s drone program is used responsibly?
**Jeanene Barrett:** Staying informed is key. Read the DOI report, familiarize yourself with the NYPD’s IUP, and attend community meetings where drone deployment is discussed. Advocate for greater transparency and hold elected officials accountable for ensuring responsible use of this technology.
**Host:** Inspector General barrett, thank you for shedding light on this critically important issue. We’ll continue to follow this story as it develops.
**Jeanene Barrett:** My pleasure.
A new report from the Department of Investigation (DOI) has raised concerns about the NYPD’s increasing reliance on drones. While acknowledging the department’s expanded use of unmanned aerial devices, the report criticizes the NYPD for lacking proper supervision protocols and a clear chain of command for its drone program. released on December 18th, 2024, the report highlights a growing public unease over drones flying above new York City [[1](https://www.nyc.gov/site/nypd/stats/reports-analysis/uas-drones.page)]and underscores the need for greater transparency surrounding their deployment.
The DOI’s investigation focused on the NYPD’s compliance with the Public Oversight of Surveillance Technology (POST) Act,a 2020 law designed to oversee the NYPD’s surveillance practices. Jeanene Barrett, the DOI’s Inspector-General for the NYPD, led the review.
“NYPD’s increase in drone usage in recent years has raised privacy concerns related to how drones are used to conduct police surveillance,” Barrett said. “The recommendations in this report call on the NYPD to enhance its unmanned aircraft systems’ impact and use policy by providing additional details about the drone program and drone capabilities, thereby increasing public transparency related to [its] use of this technology.”
The report takes issue with the NYPD’s publicly available Impact and Use policy (IUP) for drone operations, arguing that it fails to fully disclose the capabilities of these devices. The policy, issued in September 2023, doesn’t adequately detail features such as mapping technologies, communication functionalities, and even a device capable of breaking glass when necessary. Furthermore, the IUP doesn’t comprehensively address potential health and safety risks associated with drone usage, nor the risk of damage to both public and private property.
?resize=700,452 700w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=768,496 768w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=1200,775 1200w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=1536,992 1536w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=384,248 384w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=900,581 900w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=1600,1033 1600w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=50,32 50w” sizes=”(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px”/>An NYPD officer demonstrates a drone in operation in Central Park during a Nov. 13, 2024 announcement with Mayor Eric Adams and police officials.
During the Adams management, the NYPD has increasingly relied upon drones for various purposes — from attempting to locate lost swimmers on the city’s beaches; to assisting the FDNY in battling wildfires; to monitoring protests; and to locating alleged criminals.
In November, Mayor Eric Adams and NYPD brass announced a new drone first responder program in Central Park and at five other police precincts across the city to add extra sets of eyes on the communities.
“We are leveraging the latest technology to enhance the NYPD’s emergency-response capabilities, remotely sending drones to the exact longitude and latitude of where an emergency call comes and sometimes in as little as a minute,” Mayor Adams said during the Nov. 13 announcement. “These drones will mean more efficient policing and will help increase the safety of our responding NYPD officers and New Yorkers.”
But the DOI’s report released Wednesday found that the NYPD’s IUP concerning drones did not “sufficiently disclose all of the information required by the POST Act,and does not provide a complete and accurate picture of all aspects of NYPD” drone operations in practice.”
Such as, though the NYPD’s IUP requires that all drone deployments are operated and supervised by the Technical Assistance and Response Unit (TARU), the DOI study found that multiple units within the department had their own drone programs — including the Transit Bureau, the Highway Patrolos’ Collision Technician Group, the Emergency Services Unit, the Counterterrorism Division and the Office of the Chief of Department.
Moreover,the study found that the commanding officer for a newly-formed Drone Team within the NYPD that consolidated several operational units reports directly to the Deputy Commissioner of Operations,Kaz Daughtry,rather than Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey,which is in conflict with the chain of command outlined in the NYPD IUP.
The NYPD’s drone policy also does not reflect that flight log information for the drones is now captured in the city’s FORMS database, so TARU was no longer required to maintain such logs. It also did not disclose the potential risks for the devices’ lithium-ion batteries, which have been known as notorious firestarters around the city in recent years.
“Drones can be a critical public safety tool capable of enhancing NYPD operations,” said DOI Commissioner Jocelyn E. Strauber. “However, this report found that NYPD’s impact and use policies do not fully and accurately describe the Department’s unmanned aircraft systems’ practices in certain respects and issued key recommendations to achieve that goal.”
The full DOI report can be found online at nyc.gov/doi.
Path of change
The DOI issued 10 recommendations for the NYPD to follow, all of which focus on updating its IUP for drone operations — including clearly outlining the approval, supervision and reporting structure for drone operations; listing all drone capabilities; fully disclosing health and safety impacts; and clearly establishing that the automated flight log information shoudl be posted in FORMS, rather than maintained by TARU.
amNewYork Metro reached out to the NYPD for comment and is awaiting a response.
the report did not come as a surprise to Albert Fox Cahn, executive director of the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (STOP) — a nonprofit watchdog that aims to stop mass surveillance and reinforce individual rights to privacy.
Cahn told amNewYork Metro that the DOI report “makes clear that the NYPD surveillance apparatus continues to brazenly break the law,and it’s long past time that the City Council takes action.”
“When it comes to NYPD’s illegal drone surveillance, the sky’s the limit,” Cahn said. “The POST Act never imagined a mayor who would so openly condone breaking the law, and the Council must amend the POST Act to hold the NYPD to account. The NYPD’s drone program is blatantly illegal, but it’s also a massive waste of money, sending drones to New Yorkers who actually need human help in an emergency.”
## NYPD Drone Program under Fire: A Conversation with the DOI’s Inspector General
**host:** Welcome back to Archyde News. Today, we’re discussing a new report from the Department of Inquiry that’s raising serious questions about the NYPD’s expanding drone program. Joining us is Jeanene Barrett,the DOI’s Inspector General for the NYPD,who led the investigation. Inspector General Barrett, thank you for being here.
**Jeanene Barrett:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** Your report highlights a notable increase in the NYPD’s use of drones. Can you tell our viewers what prompted this investigation?
**Jeanene Barrett:** Certainly. The NYPD’s use of drone technology has increased dramatically in recent years. While we recognize the potential benefits of this technology, our investigation stemmed from concerns about a lack of transparency and proper oversight regarding how these drones are being deployed and the potential impact on New Yorkers’ privacy.
**Host:** What were some of the key findings of your investigation?
**Jeanene Barrett:** Our investigation focused on the NYPD’s compliance with the Public Oversight of Surveillance Technology (POST) Act, a law designed to ensure accountability for the NYPD’s use of surveillance technologies. We found that the NYPD’s publicly available Impact and Use Policy (IUP) for drones lacks crucial details about the capabilities of these devices.
For example, it doesn’t fully disclose features like mapping technology, dialog functionalities, and even a device capable of breaking glass.
**Host:** Those sound like significant omissions. What are the implications of such a lack of transparency?
**jeanene barrett:** Transparency is crucial when it comes to surveillance technologies. The public has a right to know how these devices are being used and what capabilities they possess. without this information, it’s tough to assess the potential risks to privacy, safety, and civil liberties.
**Host:** The report also mentions concerns about the potential for misuse and lack of clear oversight. Can you elaborate on that?
**Jeanene Barrett:** We found that the NYPD’s drone program lacks a clear chain of command and robust supervision protocols. This raises concerns about potential for misuse and the potential for drones to be deployed in a manner that violates individual rights.
**Host:** Mayor Adams has championed the NYPD’s drone program, pointing to it’s potential benefits in areas like firefighting and search-and-rescue operations. How do you balance those potential benefits with the concerns raised in your report?
**Jeanene Barrett:** We recognize the potential benefits of drone technology when used responsibly. Our goal is not to stifle innovation, but to ensure that these technologies are deployed within a framework that protects privacy and civil liberties. That’s why we’re recommending the NYPD revise its IUP to be more transparent and accountable. We also urge the creation of a clearly defined chain of command for drone operations and the implementation of stronger supervision protocols.
**Host:** What steps can the public take to ensure the NYPD’s drone program is used responsibly?
**Jeanene Barrett:** Staying informed is key. Read the DOI report, familiarize yourself with the NYPD’s IUP, and attend community meetings where drone deployment is discussed. Advocate for greater transparency and hold elected officials accountable for ensuring responsible use of this technology.
**Host:** Inspector General barrett, thank you for shedding light on this critically important issue. We’ll continue to follow this story as it develops.
The report takes issue with the NYPD’s publicly available Impact and Use policy (IUP) for drone operations, arguing that it fails to fully disclose the capabilities of these devices. The policy, issued in September 2023, doesn’t adequately detail features such as mapping technologies, communication functionalities, and even a device capable of breaking glass when necessary. Furthermore, the IUP doesn’t comprehensively address potential health and safety risks associated with drone usage, nor the risk of damage to both public and private property.
?resize=700,452 700w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=768,496 768w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=1200,775 1200w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=1536,992 1536w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=384,248 384w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=900,581 900w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=1600,1033 1600w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=50,32 50w” sizes=”(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px”/>An NYPD officer demonstrates a drone in operation in Central Park during a Nov. 13, 2024 announcement with Mayor Eric Adams and police officials.
During the Adams management, the NYPD has increasingly relied upon drones for various purposes — from attempting to locate lost swimmers on the city’s beaches; to assisting the FDNY in battling wildfires; to monitoring protests; and to locating alleged criminals.
In November, Mayor Eric Adams and NYPD brass announced a new drone first responder program in Central Park and at five other police precincts across the city to add extra sets of eyes on the communities.
“We are leveraging the latest technology to enhance the NYPD’s emergency-response capabilities, remotely sending drones to the exact longitude and latitude of where an emergency call comes and sometimes in as little as a minute,” Mayor Adams said during the Nov. 13 announcement. “These drones will mean more efficient policing and will help increase the safety of our responding NYPD officers and New Yorkers.”
But the DOI’s report released Wednesday found that the NYPD’s IUP concerning drones did not “sufficiently disclose all of the information required by the POST Act,and does not provide a complete and accurate picture of all aspects of NYPD” drone operations in practice.”
Such as, though the NYPD’s IUP requires that all drone deployments are operated and supervised by the Technical Assistance and Response Unit (TARU), the DOI study found that multiple units within the department had their own drone programs — including the Transit Bureau, the Highway Patrolos’ Collision Technician Group, the Emergency Services Unit, the Counterterrorism Division and the Office of the Chief of Department.
Moreover,the study found that the commanding officer for a newly-formed Drone Team within the NYPD that consolidated several operational units reports directly to the Deputy Commissioner of Operations,Kaz Daughtry,rather than Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey,which is in conflict with the chain of command outlined in the NYPD IUP.
The NYPD’s drone policy also does not reflect that flight log information for the drones is now captured in the city’s FORMS database, so TARU was no longer required to maintain such logs. It also did not disclose the potential risks for the devices’ lithium-ion batteries, which have been known as notorious firestarters around the city in recent years.
“Drones can be a critical public safety tool capable of enhancing NYPD operations,” said DOI Commissioner Jocelyn E. Strauber. “However, this report found that NYPD’s impact and use policies do not fully and accurately describe the Department’s unmanned aircraft systems’ practices in certain respects and issued key recommendations to achieve that goal.”
The full DOI report can be found online at nyc.gov/doi.
Path of change
The DOI issued 10 recommendations for the NYPD to follow, all of which focus on updating its IUP for drone operations — including clearly outlining the approval, supervision and reporting structure for drone operations; listing all drone capabilities; fully disclosing health and safety impacts; and clearly establishing that the automated flight log information shoudl be posted in FORMS, rather than maintained by TARU.
amNewYork Metro reached out to the NYPD for comment and is awaiting a response.
the report did not come as a surprise to Albert Fox Cahn, executive director of the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (STOP) — a nonprofit watchdog that aims to stop mass surveillance and reinforce individual rights to privacy.
Cahn told amNewYork Metro that the DOI report “makes clear that the NYPD surveillance apparatus continues to brazenly break the law,and it’s long past time that the City Council takes action.”
“When it comes to NYPD’s illegal drone surveillance, the sky’s the limit,” Cahn said. “The POST Act never imagined a mayor who would so openly condone breaking the law, and the Council must amend the POST Act to hold the NYPD to account. The NYPD’s drone program is blatantly illegal, but it’s also a massive waste of money, sending drones to New Yorkers who actually need human help in an emergency.”
## NYPD Drone Program under Fire: A Conversation with the DOI’s Inspector General
**host:** Welcome back to Archyde News. Today, we’re discussing a new report from the Department of Inquiry that’s raising serious questions about the NYPD’s expanding drone program. Joining us is Jeanene Barrett,the DOI’s Inspector General for the NYPD,who led the investigation. Inspector General Barrett, thank you for being here.
**Jeanene Barrett:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** Your report highlights a notable increase in the NYPD’s use of drones. Can you tell our viewers what prompted this investigation?
**Jeanene Barrett:** Certainly. The NYPD’s use of drone technology has increased dramatically in recent years. While we recognize the potential benefits of this technology, our investigation stemmed from concerns about a lack of transparency and proper oversight regarding how these drones are being deployed and the potential impact on New Yorkers’ privacy.
**Host:** What were some of the key findings of your investigation?
**Jeanene Barrett:** Our investigation focused on the NYPD’s compliance with the Public Oversight of Surveillance Technology (POST) Act, a law designed to ensure accountability for the NYPD’s use of surveillance technologies. We found that the NYPD’s publicly available Impact and Use Policy (IUP) for drones lacks crucial details about the capabilities of these devices.
For example, it doesn’t fully disclose features like mapping technology, dialog functionalities, and even a device capable of breaking glass.
**Host:** Those sound like significant omissions. What are the implications of such a lack of transparency?
**jeanene barrett:** Transparency is crucial when it comes to surveillance technologies. The public has a right to know how these devices are being used and what capabilities they possess. without this information, it’s tough to assess the potential risks to privacy, safety, and civil liberties.
**Host:** The report also mentions concerns about the potential for misuse and lack of clear oversight. Can you elaborate on that?
**Jeanene Barrett:** We found that the NYPD’s drone program lacks a clear chain of command and robust supervision protocols. This raises concerns about potential for misuse and the potential for drones to be deployed in a manner that violates individual rights.
**Host:** Mayor Adams has championed the NYPD’s drone program, pointing to it’s potential benefits in areas like firefighting and search-and-rescue operations. How do you balance those potential benefits with the concerns raised in your report?
**Jeanene Barrett:** We recognize the potential benefits of drone technology when used responsibly. Our goal is not to stifle innovation, but to ensure that these technologies are deployed within a framework that protects privacy and civil liberties. That’s why we’re recommending the NYPD revise its IUP to be more transparent and accountable. We also urge the creation of a clearly defined chain of command for drone operations and the implementation of stronger supervision protocols.
**Host:** What steps can the public take to ensure the NYPD’s drone program is used responsibly?
**Jeanene Barrett:** Staying informed is key. Read the DOI report, familiarize yourself with the NYPD’s IUP, and attend community meetings where drone deployment is discussed. Advocate for greater transparency and hold elected officials accountable for ensuring responsible use of this technology.
**Host:** Inspector General barrett, thank you for shedding light on this critically important issue. We’ll continue to follow this story as it develops.
**Jeanene Barrett:** My pleasure.
The DOI’s investigation focused on the NYPD’s compliance with the Public Oversight of Surveillance Technology (POST) Act,a 2020 law designed to oversee the NYPD’s surveillance practices. Jeanene Barrett, the DOI’s Inspector-General for the NYPD, led the review.
“NYPD’s increase in drone usage in recent years has raised privacy concerns related to how drones are used to conduct police surveillance,” Barrett said. “The recommendations in this report call on the NYPD to enhance its unmanned aircraft systems’ impact and use policy by providing additional details about the drone program and drone capabilities, thereby increasing public transparency related to [its] use of this technology.”
The report takes issue with the NYPD’s publicly available Impact and Use policy (IUP) for drone operations, arguing that it fails to fully disclose the capabilities of these devices. The policy, issued in September 2023, doesn’t adequately detail features such as mapping technologies, communication functionalities, and even a device capable of breaking glass when necessary. Furthermore, the IUP doesn’t comprehensively address potential health and safety risks associated with drone usage, nor the risk of damage to both public and private property.
?resize=700,452 700w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=768,496 768w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=1200,775 1200w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=1536,992 1536w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=384,248 384w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=900,581 900w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=1600,1033 1600w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=50,32 50w” sizes=”(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px”/>An NYPD officer demonstrates a drone in operation in Central Park during a Nov. 13, 2024 announcement with Mayor Eric Adams and police officials.
During the Adams management, the NYPD has increasingly relied upon drones for various purposes — from attempting to locate lost swimmers on the city’s beaches; to assisting the FDNY in battling wildfires; to monitoring protests; and to locating alleged criminals.
In November, Mayor Eric Adams and NYPD brass announced a new drone first responder program in Central Park and at five other police precincts across the city to add extra sets of eyes on the communities.
“We are leveraging the latest technology to enhance the NYPD’s emergency-response capabilities, remotely sending drones to the exact longitude and latitude of where an emergency call comes and sometimes in as little as a minute,” Mayor Adams said during the Nov. 13 announcement. “These drones will mean more efficient policing and will help increase the safety of our responding NYPD officers and New Yorkers.”
But the DOI’s report released Wednesday found that the NYPD’s IUP concerning drones did not “sufficiently disclose all of the information required by the POST Act,and does not provide a complete and accurate picture of all aspects of NYPD” drone operations in practice.”
Such as, though the NYPD’s IUP requires that all drone deployments are operated and supervised by the Technical Assistance and Response Unit (TARU), the DOI study found that multiple units within the department had their own drone programs — including the Transit Bureau, the Highway Patrolos’ Collision Technician Group, the Emergency Services Unit, the Counterterrorism Division and the Office of the Chief of Department.
Moreover,the study found that the commanding officer for a newly-formed Drone Team within the NYPD that consolidated several operational units reports directly to the Deputy Commissioner of Operations,Kaz Daughtry,rather than Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey,which is in conflict with the chain of command outlined in the NYPD IUP.
The NYPD’s drone policy also does not reflect that flight log information for the drones is now captured in the city’s FORMS database, so TARU was no longer required to maintain such logs. It also did not disclose the potential risks for the devices’ lithium-ion batteries, which have been known as notorious firestarters around the city in recent years.
“Drones can be a critical public safety tool capable of enhancing NYPD operations,” said DOI Commissioner Jocelyn E. Strauber. “However, this report found that NYPD’s impact and use policies do not fully and accurately describe the Department’s unmanned aircraft systems’ practices in certain respects and issued key recommendations to achieve that goal.”
The full DOI report can be found online at nyc.gov/doi.
Path of change
The DOI issued 10 recommendations for the NYPD to follow, all of which focus on updating its IUP for drone operations — including clearly outlining the approval, supervision and reporting structure for drone operations; listing all drone capabilities; fully disclosing health and safety impacts; and clearly establishing that the automated flight log information shoudl be posted in FORMS, rather than maintained by TARU.
amNewYork Metro reached out to the NYPD for comment and is awaiting a response.
the report did not come as a surprise to Albert Fox Cahn, executive director of the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (STOP) — a nonprofit watchdog that aims to stop mass surveillance and reinforce individual rights to privacy.
Cahn told amNewYork Metro that the DOI report “makes clear that the NYPD surveillance apparatus continues to brazenly break the law,and it’s long past time that the City Council takes action.”
“When it comes to NYPD’s illegal drone surveillance, the sky’s the limit,” Cahn said. “The POST Act never imagined a mayor who would so openly condone breaking the law, and the Council must amend the POST Act to hold the NYPD to account. The NYPD’s drone program is blatantly illegal, but it’s also a massive waste of money, sending drones to New Yorkers who actually need human help in an emergency.”
## NYPD Drone Program under Fire: A Conversation with the DOI’s Inspector General
**host:** Welcome back to Archyde News. Today, we’re discussing a new report from the Department of Inquiry that’s raising serious questions about the NYPD’s expanding drone program. Joining us is Jeanene Barrett,the DOI’s Inspector General for the NYPD,who led the investigation. Inspector General Barrett, thank you for being here.
**Jeanene Barrett:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** Your report highlights a notable increase in the NYPD’s use of drones. Can you tell our viewers what prompted this investigation?
**Jeanene Barrett:** Certainly. The NYPD’s use of drone technology has increased dramatically in recent years. While we recognize the potential benefits of this technology, our investigation stemmed from concerns about a lack of transparency and proper oversight regarding how these drones are being deployed and the potential impact on New Yorkers’ privacy.
**Host:** What were some of the key findings of your investigation?
**Jeanene Barrett:** Our investigation focused on the NYPD’s compliance with the Public Oversight of Surveillance Technology (POST) Act, a law designed to ensure accountability for the NYPD’s use of surveillance technologies. We found that the NYPD’s publicly available Impact and Use Policy (IUP) for drones lacks crucial details about the capabilities of these devices.
For example, it doesn’t fully disclose features like mapping technology, dialog functionalities, and even a device capable of breaking glass.
**Host:** Those sound like significant omissions. What are the implications of such a lack of transparency?
**jeanene barrett:** Transparency is crucial when it comes to surveillance technologies. The public has a right to know how these devices are being used and what capabilities they possess. without this information, it’s tough to assess the potential risks to privacy, safety, and civil liberties.
**Host:** The report also mentions concerns about the potential for misuse and lack of clear oversight. Can you elaborate on that?
**Jeanene Barrett:** We found that the NYPD’s drone program lacks a clear chain of command and robust supervision protocols. This raises concerns about potential for misuse and the potential for drones to be deployed in a manner that violates individual rights.
**Host:** Mayor Adams has championed the NYPD’s drone program, pointing to it’s potential benefits in areas like firefighting and search-and-rescue operations. How do you balance those potential benefits with the concerns raised in your report?
**Jeanene Barrett:** We recognize the potential benefits of drone technology when used responsibly. Our goal is not to stifle innovation, but to ensure that these technologies are deployed within a framework that protects privacy and civil liberties. That’s why we’re recommending the NYPD revise its IUP to be more transparent and accountable. We also urge the creation of a clearly defined chain of command for drone operations and the implementation of stronger supervision protocols.
**Host:** What steps can the public take to ensure the NYPD’s drone program is used responsibly?
**Jeanene Barrett:** Staying informed is key. Read the DOI report, familiarize yourself with the NYPD’s IUP, and attend community meetings where drone deployment is discussed. Advocate for greater transparency and hold elected officials accountable for ensuring responsible use of this technology.
**Host:** Inspector General barrett, thank you for shedding light on this critically important issue. We’ll continue to follow this story as it develops.
**Jeanene Barrett:** My pleasure.
A new report from the Department of Investigation (DOI) has raised concerns about the NYPD’s increasing reliance on drones. While acknowledging the department’s expanded use of unmanned aerial devices, the report criticizes the NYPD for lacking proper supervision protocols and a clear chain of command for its drone program. released on December 18th, 2024, the report highlights a growing public unease over drones flying above new York City [[1](https://www.nyc.gov/site/nypd/stats/reports-analysis/uas-drones.page)]and underscores the need for greater transparency surrounding their deployment.
The DOI’s investigation focused on the NYPD’s compliance with the Public Oversight of Surveillance Technology (POST) Act,a 2020 law designed to oversee the NYPD’s surveillance practices. Jeanene Barrett, the DOI’s Inspector-General for the NYPD, led the review.
“NYPD’s increase in drone usage in recent years has raised privacy concerns related to how drones are used to conduct police surveillance,” Barrett said. “The recommendations in this report call on the NYPD to enhance its unmanned aircraft systems’ impact and use policy by providing additional details about the drone program and drone capabilities, thereby increasing public transparency related to [its] use of this technology.”
The report takes issue with the NYPD’s publicly available Impact and Use policy (IUP) for drone operations, arguing that it fails to fully disclose the capabilities of these devices. The policy, issued in September 2023, doesn’t adequately detail features such as mapping technologies, communication functionalities, and even a device capable of breaking glass when necessary. Furthermore, the IUP doesn’t comprehensively address potential health and safety risks associated with drone usage, nor the risk of damage to both public and private property.
?resize=700,452 700w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=768,496 768w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=1200,775 1200w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=1536,992 1536w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=384,248 384w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=900,581 900w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=1600,1033 1600w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=50,32 50w” sizes=”(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px”/>An NYPD officer demonstrates a drone in operation in Central Park during a Nov. 13, 2024 announcement with Mayor Eric Adams and police officials.
During the Adams management, the NYPD has increasingly relied upon drones for various purposes — from attempting to locate lost swimmers on the city’s beaches; to assisting the FDNY in battling wildfires; to monitoring protests; and to locating alleged criminals.
In November, Mayor Eric Adams and NYPD brass announced a new drone first responder program in Central Park and at five other police precincts across the city to add extra sets of eyes on the communities.
“We are leveraging the latest technology to enhance the NYPD’s emergency-response capabilities, remotely sending drones to the exact longitude and latitude of where an emergency call comes and sometimes in as little as a minute,” Mayor Adams said during the Nov. 13 announcement. “These drones will mean more efficient policing and will help increase the safety of our responding NYPD officers and New Yorkers.”
But the DOI’s report released Wednesday found that the NYPD’s IUP concerning drones did not “sufficiently disclose all of the information required by the POST Act,and does not provide a complete and accurate picture of all aspects of NYPD” drone operations in practice.”
Such as, though the NYPD’s IUP requires that all drone deployments are operated and supervised by the Technical Assistance and Response Unit (TARU), the DOI study found that multiple units within the department had their own drone programs — including the Transit Bureau, the Highway Patrolos’ Collision Technician Group, the Emergency Services Unit, the Counterterrorism Division and the Office of the Chief of Department.
Moreover,the study found that the commanding officer for a newly-formed Drone Team within the NYPD that consolidated several operational units reports directly to the Deputy Commissioner of Operations,Kaz Daughtry,rather than Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey,which is in conflict with the chain of command outlined in the NYPD IUP.
The NYPD’s drone policy also does not reflect that flight log information for the drones is now captured in the city’s FORMS database, so TARU was no longer required to maintain such logs. It also did not disclose the potential risks for the devices’ lithium-ion batteries, which have been known as notorious firestarters around the city in recent years.
“Drones can be a critical public safety tool capable of enhancing NYPD operations,” said DOI Commissioner Jocelyn E. Strauber. “However, this report found that NYPD’s impact and use policies do not fully and accurately describe the Department’s unmanned aircraft systems’ practices in certain respects and issued key recommendations to achieve that goal.”
The full DOI report can be found online at nyc.gov/doi.
Path of change
The DOI issued 10 recommendations for the NYPD to follow, all of which focus on updating its IUP for drone operations — including clearly outlining the approval, supervision and reporting structure for drone operations; listing all drone capabilities; fully disclosing health and safety impacts; and clearly establishing that the automated flight log information shoudl be posted in FORMS, rather than maintained by TARU.
amNewYork Metro reached out to the NYPD for comment and is awaiting a response.
the report did not come as a surprise to Albert Fox Cahn, executive director of the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (STOP) — a nonprofit watchdog that aims to stop mass surveillance and reinforce individual rights to privacy.
Cahn told amNewYork Metro that the DOI report “makes clear that the NYPD surveillance apparatus continues to brazenly break the law,and it’s long past time that the City Council takes action.”
“When it comes to NYPD’s illegal drone surveillance, the sky’s the limit,” Cahn said. “The POST Act never imagined a mayor who would so openly condone breaking the law, and the Council must amend the POST Act to hold the NYPD to account. The NYPD’s drone program is blatantly illegal, but it’s also a massive waste of money, sending drones to New Yorkers who actually need human help in an emergency.”
## NYPD Drone Program under Fire: A Conversation with the DOI’s Inspector General
**host:** Welcome back to Archyde News. Today, we’re discussing a new report from the Department of Inquiry that’s raising serious questions about the NYPD’s expanding drone program. Joining us is Jeanene Barrett,the DOI’s Inspector General for the NYPD,who led the investigation. Inspector General Barrett, thank you for being here.
**Jeanene Barrett:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** Your report highlights a notable increase in the NYPD’s use of drones. Can you tell our viewers what prompted this investigation?
**Jeanene Barrett:** Certainly. The NYPD’s use of drone technology has increased dramatically in recent years. While we recognize the potential benefits of this technology, our investigation stemmed from concerns about a lack of transparency and proper oversight regarding how these drones are being deployed and the potential impact on New Yorkers’ privacy.
**Host:** What were some of the key findings of your investigation?
**Jeanene Barrett:** Our investigation focused on the NYPD’s compliance with the Public Oversight of Surveillance Technology (POST) Act, a law designed to ensure accountability for the NYPD’s use of surveillance technologies. We found that the NYPD’s publicly available Impact and Use Policy (IUP) for drones lacks crucial details about the capabilities of these devices.
For example, it doesn’t fully disclose features like mapping technology, dialog functionalities, and even a device capable of breaking glass.
**Host:** Those sound like significant omissions. What are the implications of such a lack of transparency?
**jeanene barrett:** Transparency is crucial when it comes to surveillance technologies. The public has a right to know how these devices are being used and what capabilities they possess. without this information, it’s tough to assess the potential risks to privacy, safety, and civil liberties.
**Host:** The report also mentions concerns about the potential for misuse and lack of clear oversight. Can you elaborate on that?
**Jeanene Barrett:** We found that the NYPD’s drone program lacks a clear chain of command and robust supervision protocols. This raises concerns about potential for misuse and the potential for drones to be deployed in a manner that violates individual rights.
**Host:** Mayor Adams has championed the NYPD’s drone program, pointing to it’s potential benefits in areas like firefighting and search-and-rescue operations. How do you balance those potential benefits with the concerns raised in your report?
**Jeanene Barrett:** We recognize the potential benefits of drone technology when used responsibly. Our goal is not to stifle innovation, but to ensure that these technologies are deployed within a framework that protects privacy and civil liberties. That’s why we’re recommending the NYPD revise its IUP to be more transparent and accountable. We also urge the creation of a clearly defined chain of command for drone operations and the implementation of stronger supervision protocols.
**Host:** What steps can the public take to ensure the NYPD’s drone program is used responsibly?
**Jeanene Barrett:** Staying informed is key. Read the DOI report, familiarize yourself with the NYPD’s IUP, and attend community meetings where drone deployment is discussed. Advocate for greater transparency and hold elected officials accountable for ensuring responsible use of this technology.
**Host:** Inspector General barrett, thank you for shedding light on this critically important issue. We’ll continue to follow this story as it develops.
**Jeanene Barrett:** My pleasure.
A new report from the Department of Investigation (DOI) has raised concerns about the NYPD’s increasing reliance on drones. While acknowledging the department’s expanded use of unmanned aerial devices, the report criticizes the NYPD for lacking proper supervision protocols and a clear chain of command for its drone program. released on December 18th, 2024, the report highlights a growing public unease over drones flying above new York City [[1](https://www.nyc.gov/site/nypd/stats/reports-analysis/uas-drones.page)]and underscores the need for greater transparency surrounding their deployment.
The DOI’s investigation focused on the NYPD’s compliance with the Public Oversight of Surveillance Technology (POST) Act,a 2020 law designed to oversee the NYPD’s surveillance practices. Jeanene Barrett, the DOI’s Inspector-General for the NYPD, led the review.
“NYPD’s increase in drone usage in recent years has raised privacy concerns related to how drones are used to conduct police surveillance,” Barrett said. “The recommendations in this report call on the NYPD to enhance its unmanned aircraft systems’ impact and use policy by providing additional details about the drone program and drone capabilities, thereby increasing public transparency related to [its] use of this technology.”
The report takes issue with the NYPD’s publicly available Impact and Use policy (IUP) for drone operations, arguing that it fails to fully disclose the capabilities of these devices. The policy, issued in September 2023, doesn’t adequately detail features such as mapping technologies, communication functionalities, and even a device capable of breaking glass when necessary. Furthermore, the IUP doesn’t comprehensively address potential health and safety risks associated with drone usage, nor the risk of damage to both public and private property.
?resize=700,452 700w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=768,496 768w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=1200,775 1200w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=1536,992 1536w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=384,248 384w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=900,581 900w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=1600,1033 1600w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=50,32 50w” sizes=”(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px”/>An NYPD officer demonstrates a drone in operation in Central Park during a Nov. 13, 2024 announcement with Mayor Eric Adams and police officials.
During the Adams management, the NYPD has increasingly relied upon drones for various purposes — from attempting to locate lost swimmers on the city’s beaches; to assisting the FDNY in battling wildfires; to monitoring protests; and to locating alleged criminals.
In November, Mayor Eric Adams and NYPD brass announced a new drone first responder program in Central Park and at five other police precincts across the city to add extra sets of eyes on the communities.
“We are leveraging the latest technology to enhance the NYPD’s emergency-response capabilities, remotely sending drones to the exact longitude and latitude of where an emergency call comes and sometimes in as little as a minute,” Mayor Adams said during the Nov. 13 announcement. “These drones will mean more efficient policing and will help increase the safety of our responding NYPD officers and New Yorkers.”
But the DOI’s report released Wednesday found that the NYPD’s IUP concerning drones did not “sufficiently disclose all of the information required by the POST Act,and does not provide a complete and accurate picture of all aspects of NYPD” drone operations in practice.”
Such as, though the NYPD’s IUP requires that all drone deployments are operated and supervised by the Technical Assistance and Response Unit (TARU), the DOI study found that multiple units within the department had their own drone programs — including the Transit Bureau, the Highway Patrolos’ Collision Technician Group, the Emergency Services Unit, the Counterterrorism Division and the Office of the Chief of Department.
Moreover,the study found that the commanding officer for a newly-formed Drone Team within the NYPD that consolidated several operational units reports directly to the Deputy Commissioner of Operations,Kaz Daughtry,rather than Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey,which is in conflict with the chain of command outlined in the NYPD IUP.
The NYPD’s drone policy also does not reflect that flight log information for the drones is now captured in the city’s FORMS database, so TARU was no longer required to maintain such logs. It also did not disclose the potential risks for the devices’ lithium-ion batteries, which have been known as notorious firestarters around the city in recent years.
“Drones can be a critical public safety tool capable of enhancing NYPD operations,” said DOI Commissioner Jocelyn E. Strauber. “However, this report found that NYPD’s impact and use policies do not fully and accurately describe the Department’s unmanned aircraft systems’ practices in certain respects and issued key recommendations to achieve that goal.”
The full DOI report can be found online at nyc.gov/doi.
Path of change
The DOI issued 10 recommendations for the NYPD to follow, all of which focus on updating its IUP for drone operations — including clearly outlining the approval, supervision and reporting structure for drone operations; listing all drone capabilities; fully disclosing health and safety impacts; and clearly establishing that the automated flight log information shoudl be posted in FORMS, rather than maintained by TARU.
amNewYork Metro reached out to the NYPD for comment and is awaiting a response.
the report did not come as a surprise to Albert Fox Cahn, executive director of the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (STOP) — a nonprofit watchdog that aims to stop mass surveillance and reinforce individual rights to privacy.
Cahn told amNewYork Metro that the DOI report “makes clear that the NYPD surveillance apparatus continues to brazenly break the law,and it’s long past time that the City Council takes action.”
“When it comes to NYPD’s illegal drone surveillance, the sky’s the limit,” Cahn said. “The POST Act never imagined a mayor who would so openly condone breaking the law, and the Council must amend the POST Act to hold the NYPD to account. The NYPD’s drone program is blatantly illegal, but it’s also a massive waste of money, sending drones to New Yorkers who actually need human help in an emergency.”
## NYPD Drone Program under Fire: A Conversation with the DOI’s Inspector General
**host:** Welcome back to Archyde News. Today, we’re discussing a new report from the Department of Inquiry that’s raising serious questions about the NYPD’s expanding drone program. Joining us is Jeanene Barrett,the DOI’s Inspector General for the NYPD,who led the investigation. Inspector General Barrett, thank you for being here.
**Jeanene Barrett:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** Your report highlights a notable increase in the NYPD’s use of drones. Can you tell our viewers what prompted this investigation?
**Jeanene Barrett:** Certainly. The NYPD’s use of drone technology has increased dramatically in recent years. While we recognize the potential benefits of this technology, our investigation stemmed from concerns about a lack of transparency and proper oversight regarding how these drones are being deployed and the potential impact on New Yorkers’ privacy.
**Host:** What were some of the key findings of your investigation?
**Jeanene Barrett:** Our investigation focused on the NYPD’s compliance with the Public Oversight of Surveillance Technology (POST) Act, a law designed to ensure accountability for the NYPD’s use of surveillance technologies. We found that the NYPD’s publicly available Impact and Use Policy (IUP) for drones lacks crucial details about the capabilities of these devices.
For example, it doesn’t fully disclose features like mapping technology, dialog functionalities, and even a device capable of breaking glass.
**Host:** Those sound like significant omissions. What are the implications of such a lack of transparency?
**jeanene barrett:** Transparency is crucial when it comes to surveillance technologies. The public has a right to know how these devices are being used and what capabilities they possess. without this information, it’s tough to assess the potential risks to privacy, safety, and civil liberties.
**Host:** The report also mentions concerns about the potential for misuse and lack of clear oversight. Can you elaborate on that?
**Jeanene Barrett:** We found that the NYPD’s drone program lacks a clear chain of command and robust supervision protocols. This raises concerns about potential for misuse and the potential for drones to be deployed in a manner that violates individual rights.
**Host:** Mayor Adams has championed the NYPD’s drone program, pointing to it’s potential benefits in areas like firefighting and search-and-rescue operations. How do you balance those potential benefits with the concerns raised in your report?
**Jeanene Barrett:** We recognize the potential benefits of drone technology when used responsibly. Our goal is not to stifle innovation, but to ensure that these technologies are deployed within a framework that protects privacy and civil liberties. That’s why we’re recommending the NYPD revise its IUP to be more transparent and accountable. We also urge the creation of a clearly defined chain of command for drone operations and the implementation of stronger supervision protocols.
**Host:** What steps can the public take to ensure the NYPD’s drone program is used responsibly?
**Jeanene Barrett:** Staying informed is key. Read the DOI report, familiarize yourself with the NYPD’s IUP, and attend community meetings where drone deployment is discussed. Advocate for greater transparency and hold elected officials accountable for ensuring responsible use of this technology.
**Host:** Inspector General barrett, thank you for shedding light on this critically important issue. We’ll continue to follow this story as it develops.
The report takes issue with the NYPD’s publicly available Impact and Use policy (IUP) for drone operations, arguing that it fails to fully disclose the capabilities of these devices. The policy, issued in September 2023, doesn’t adequately detail features such as mapping technologies, communication functionalities, and even a device capable of breaking glass when necessary. Furthermore, the IUP doesn’t comprehensively address potential health and safety risks associated with drone usage, nor the risk of damage to both public and private property.
?resize=700,452 700w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=768,496 768w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=1200,775 1200w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=1536,992 1536w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=384,248 384w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=900,581 900w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=1600,1033 1600w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=50,32 50w” sizes=”(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px”/>An NYPD officer demonstrates a drone in operation in Central Park during a Nov. 13, 2024 announcement with Mayor Eric Adams and police officials.
During the Adams management, the NYPD has increasingly relied upon drones for various purposes — from attempting to locate lost swimmers on the city’s beaches; to assisting the FDNY in battling wildfires; to monitoring protests; and to locating alleged criminals.
In November, Mayor Eric Adams and NYPD brass announced a new drone first responder program in Central Park and at five other police precincts across the city to add extra sets of eyes on the communities.
“We are leveraging the latest technology to enhance the NYPD’s emergency-response capabilities, remotely sending drones to the exact longitude and latitude of where an emergency call comes and sometimes in as little as a minute,” Mayor Adams said during the Nov. 13 announcement. “These drones will mean more efficient policing and will help increase the safety of our responding NYPD officers and New Yorkers.”
But the DOI’s report released Wednesday found that the NYPD’s IUP concerning drones did not “sufficiently disclose all of the information required by the POST Act,and does not provide a complete and accurate picture of all aspects of NYPD” drone operations in practice.”
Such as, though the NYPD’s IUP requires that all drone deployments are operated and supervised by the Technical Assistance and Response Unit (TARU), the DOI study found that multiple units within the department had their own drone programs — including the Transit Bureau, the Highway Patrolos’ Collision Technician Group, the Emergency Services Unit, the Counterterrorism Division and the Office of the Chief of Department.
Moreover,the study found that the commanding officer for a newly-formed Drone Team within the NYPD that consolidated several operational units reports directly to the Deputy Commissioner of Operations,Kaz Daughtry,rather than Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey,which is in conflict with the chain of command outlined in the NYPD IUP.
The NYPD’s drone policy also does not reflect that flight log information for the drones is now captured in the city’s FORMS database, so TARU was no longer required to maintain such logs. It also did not disclose the potential risks for the devices’ lithium-ion batteries, which have been known as notorious firestarters around the city in recent years.
“Drones can be a critical public safety tool capable of enhancing NYPD operations,” said DOI Commissioner Jocelyn E. Strauber. “However, this report found that NYPD’s impact and use policies do not fully and accurately describe the Department’s unmanned aircraft systems’ practices in certain respects and issued key recommendations to achieve that goal.”
The full DOI report can be found online at nyc.gov/doi.
Path of change
The DOI issued 10 recommendations for the NYPD to follow, all of which focus on updating its IUP for drone operations — including clearly outlining the approval, supervision and reporting structure for drone operations; listing all drone capabilities; fully disclosing health and safety impacts; and clearly establishing that the automated flight log information shoudl be posted in FORMS, rather than maintained by TARU.
amNewYork Metro reached out to the NYPD for comment and is awaiting a response.
the report did not come as a surprise to Albert Fox Cahn, executive director of the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (STOP) — a nonprofit watchdog that aims to stop mass surveillance and reinforce individual rights to privacy.
Cahn told amNewYork Metro that the DOI report “makes clear that the NYPD surveillance apparatus continues to brazenly break the law,and it’s long past time that the City Council takes action.”
“When it comes to NYPD’s illegal drone surveillance, the sky’s the limit,” Cahn said. “The POST Act never imagined a mayor who would so openly condone breaking the law, and the Council must amend the POST Act to hold the NYPD to account. The NYPD’s drone program is blatantly illegal, but it’s also a massive waste of money, sending drones to New Yorkers who actually need human help in an emergency.”
## NYPD Drone Program under Fire: A Conversation with the DOI’s Inspector General
**host:** Welcome back to Archyde News. Today, we’re discussing a new report from the Department of Inquiry that’s raising serious questions about the NYPD’s expanding drone program. Joining us is Jeanene Barrett,the DOI’s Inspector General for the NYPD,who led the investigation. Inspector General Barrett, thank you for being here.
**Jeanene Barrett:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** Your report highlights a notable increase in the NYPD’s use of drones. Can you tell our viewers what prompted this investigation?
**Jeanene Barrett:** Certainly. The NYPD’s use of drone technology has increased dramatically in recent years. While we recognize the potential benefits of this technology, our investigation stemmed from concerns about a lack of transparency and proper oversight regarding how these drones are being deployed and the potential impact on New Yorkers’ privacy.
**Host:** What were some of the key findings of your investigation?
**Jeanene Barrett:** Our investigation focused on the NYPD’s compliance with the Public Oversight of Surveillance Technology (POST) Act, a law designed to ensure accountability for the NYPD’s use of surveillance technologies. We found that the NYPD’s publicly available Impact and Use Policy (IUP) for drones lacks crucial details about the capabilities of these devices.
For example, it doesn’t fully disclose features like mapping technology, dialog functionalities, and even a device capable of breaking glass.
**Host:** Those sound like significant omissions. What are the implications of such a lack of transparency?
**jeanene barrett:** Transparency is crucial when it comes to surveillance technologies. The public has a right to know how these devices are being used and what capabilities they possess. without this information, it’s tough to assess the potential risks to privacy, safety, and civil liberties.
**Host:** The report also mentions concerns about the potential for misuse and lack of clear oversight. Can you elaborate on that?
**Jeanene Barrett:** We found that the NYPD’s drone program lacks a clear chain of command and robust supervision protocols. This raises concerns about potential for misuse and the potential for drones to be deployed in a manner that violates individual rights.
**Host:** Mayor Adams has championed the NYPD’s drone program, pointing to it’s potential benefits in areas like firefighting and search-and-rescue operations. How do you balance those potential benefits with the concerns raised in your report?
**Jeanene Barrett:** We recognize the potential benefits of drone technology when used responsibly. Our goal is not to stifle innovation, but to ensure that these technologies are deployed within a framework that protects privacy and civil liberties. That’s why we’re recommending the NYPD revise its IUP to be more transparent and accountable. We also urge the creation of a clearly defined chain of command for drone operations and the implementation of stronger supervision protocols.
**Host:** What steps can the public take to ensure the NYPD’s drone program is used responsibly?
**Jeanene Barrett:** Staying informed is key. Read the DOI report, familiarize yourself with the NYPD’s IUP, and attend community meetings where drone deployment is discussed. Advocate for greater transparency and hold elected officials accountable for ensuring responsible use of this technology.
**Host:** Inspector General barrett, thank you for shedding light on this critically important issue. We’ll continue to follow this story as it develops.
**Jeanene Barrett:** My pleasure.
“NYPD’s increase in drone usage in recent years has raised privacy concerns related to how drones are used to conduct police surveillance,” Barrett said. “The recommendations in this report call on the NYPD to enhance its unmanned aircraft systems’ impact and use policy by providing additional details about the drone program and drone capabilities, thereby increasing public transparency related to [its] use of this technology.”
The report takes issue with the NYPD’s publicly available Impact and Use policy (IUP) for drone operations, arguing that it fails to fully disclose the capabilities of these devices. The policy, issued in September 2023, doesn’t adequately detail features such as mapping technologies, communication functionalities, and even a device capable of breaking glass when necessary. Furthermore, the IUP doesn’t comprehensively address potential health and safety risks associated with drone usage, nor the risk of damage to both public and private property.
?resize=700,452 700w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=768,496 768w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=1200,775 1200w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=1536,992 1536w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=384,248 384w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=900,581 900w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=1600,1033 1600w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=50,32 50w” sizes=”(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px”/>An NYPD officer demonstrates a drone in operation in Central Park during a Nov. 13, 2024 announcement with Mayor Eric Adams and police officials.
During the Adams management, the NYPD has increasingly relied upon drones for various purposes — from attempting to locate lost swimmers on the city’s beaches; to assisting the FDNY in battling wildfires; to monitoring protests; and to locating alleged criminals.
In November, Mayor Eric Adams and NYPD brass announced a new drone first responder program in Central Park and at five other police precincts across the city to add extra sets of eyes on the communities.
“We are leveraging the latest technology to enhance the NYPD’s emergency-response capabilities, remotely sending drones to the exact longitude and latitude of where an emergency call comes and sometimes in as little as a minute,” Mayor Adams said during the Nov. 13 announcement. “These drones will mean more efficient policing and will help increase the safety of our responding NYPD officers and New Yorkers.”
But the DOI’s report released Wednesday found that the NYPD’s IUP concerning drones did not “sufficiently disclose all of the information required by the POST Act,and does not provide a complete and accurate picture of all aspects of NYPD” drone operations in practice.”
Such as, though the NYPD’s IUP requires that all drone deployments are operated and supervised by the Technical Assistance and Response Unit (TARU), the DOI study found that multiple units within the department had their own drone programs — including the Transit Bureau, the Highway Patrolos’ Collision Technician Group, the Emergency Services Unit, the Counterterrorism Division and the Office of the Chief of Department.
Moreover,the study found that the commanding officer for a newly-formed Drone Team within the NYPD that consolidated several operational units reports directly to the Deputy Commissioner of Operations,Kaz Daughtry,rather than Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey,which is in conflict with the chain of command outlined in the NYPD IUP.
The NYPD’s drone policy also does not reflect that flight log information for the drones is now captured in the city’s FORMS database, so TARU was no longer required to maintain such logs. It also did not disclose the potential risks for the devices’ lithium-ion batteries, which have been known as notorious firestarters around the city in recent years.
“Drones can be a critical public safety tool capable of enhancing NYPD operations,” said DOI Commissioner Jocelyn E. Strauber. “However, this report found that NYPD’s impact and use policies do not fully and accurately describe the Department’s unmanned aircraft systems’ practices in certain respects and issued key recommendations to achieve that goal.”
The full DOI report can be found online at nyc.gov/doi.
Path of change
The DOI issued 10 recommendations for the NYPD to follow, all of which focus on updating its IUP for drone operations — including clearly outlining the approval, supervision and reporting structure for drone operations; listing all drone capabilities; fully disclosing health and safety impacts; and clearly establishing that the automated flight log information shoudl be posted in FORMS, rather than maintained by TARU.
amNewYork Metro reached out to the NYPD for comment and is awaiting a response.
the report did not come as a surprise to Albert Fox Cahn, executive director of the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (STOP) — a nonprofit watchdog that aims to stop mass surveillance and reinforce individual rights to privacy.
Cahn told amNewYork Metro that the DOI report “makes clear that the NYPD surveillance apparatus continues to brazenly break the law,and it’s long past time that the City Council takes action.”
“When it comes to NYPD’s illegal drone surveillance, the sky’s the limit,” Cahn said. “The POST Act never imagined a mayor who would so openly condone breaking the law, and the Council must amend the POST Act to hold the NYPD to account. The NYPD’s drone program is blatantly illegal, but it’s also a massive waste of money, sending drones to New Yorkers who actually need human help in an emergency.”
## NYPD Drone Program under Fire: A Conversation with the DOI’s Inspector General
**host:** Welcome back to Archyde News. Today, we’re discussing a new report from the Department of Inquiry that’s raising serious questions about the NYPD’s expanding drone program. Joining us is Jeanene Barrett,the DOI’s Inspector General for the NYPD,who led the investigation. Inspector General Barrett, thank you for being here.
**Jeanene Barrett:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** Your report highlights a notable increase in the NYPD’s use of drones. Can you tell our viewers what prompted this investigation?
**Jeanene Barrett:** Certainly. The NYPD’s use of drone technology has increased dramatically in recent years. While we recognize the potential benefits of this technology, our investigation stemmed from concerns about a lack of transparency and proper oversight regarding how these drones are being deployed and the potential impact on New Yorkers’ privacy.
**Host:** What were some of the key findings of your investigation?
**Jeanene Barrett:** Our investigation focused on the NYPD’s compliance with the Public Oversight of Surveillance Technology (POST) Act, a law designed to ensure accountability for the NYPD’s use of surveillance technologies. We found that the NYPD’s publicly available Impact and Use Policy (IUP) for drones lacks crucial details about the capabilities of these devices.
For example, it doesn’t fully disclose features like mapping technology, dialog functionalities, and even a device capable of breaking glass.
**Host:** Those sound like significant omissions. What are the implications of such a lack of transparency?
**jeanene barrett:** Transparency is crucial when it comes to surveillance technologies. The public has a right to know how these devices are being used and what capabilities they possess. without this information, it’s tough to assess the potential risks to privacy, safety, and civil liberties.
**Host:** The report also mentions concerns about the potential for misuse and lack of clear oversight. Can you elaborate on that?
**Jeanene Barrett:** We found that the NYPD’s drone program lacks a clear chain of command and robust supervision protocols. This raises concerns about potential for misuse and the potential for drones to be deployed in a manner that violates individual rights.
**Host:** Mayor Adams has championed the NYPD’s drone program, pointing to it’s potential benefits in areas like firefighting and search-and-rescue operations. How do you balance those potential benefits with the concerns raised in your report?
**Jeanene Barrett:** We recognize the potential benefits of drone technology when used responsibly. Our goal is not to stifle innovation, but to ensure that these technologies are deployed within a framework that protects privacy and civil liberties. That’s why we’re recommending the NYPD revise its IUP to be more transparent and accountable. We also urge the creation of a clearly defined chain of command for drone operations and the implementation of stronger supervision protocols.
**Host:** What steps can the public take to ensure the NYPD’s drone program is used responsibly?
**Jeanene Barrett:** Staying informed is key. Read the DOI report, familiarize yourself with the NYPD’s IUP, and attend community meetings where drone deployment is discussed. Advocate for greater transparency and hold elected officials accountable for ensuring responsible use of this technology.
**Host:** Inspector General barrett, thank you for shedding light on this critically important issue. We’ll continue to follow this story as it develops.
**Jeanene Barrett:** My pleasure.
The DOI’s investigation focused on the NYPD’s compliance with the Public Oversight of Surveillance Technology (POST) Act,a 2020 law designed to oversee the NYPD’s surveillance practices. Jeanene Barrett, the DOI’s Inspector-General for the NYPD, led the review.
“NYPD’s increase in drone usage in recent years has raised privacy concerns related to how drones are used to conduct police surveillance,” Barrett said. “The recommendations in this report call on the NYPD to enhance its unmanned aircraft systems’ impact and use policy by providing additional details about the drone program and drone capabilities, thereby increasing public transparency related to [its] use of this technology.”
The report takes issue with the NYPD’s publicly available Impact and Use policy (IUP) for drone operations, arguing that it fails to fully disclose the capabilities of these devices. The policy, issued in September 2023, doesn’t adequately detail features such as mapping technologies, communication functionalities, and even a device capable of breaking glass when necessary. Furthermore, the IUP doesn’t comprehensively address potential health and safety risks associated with drone usage, nor the risk of damage to both public and private property.
?resize=700,452 700w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=768,496 768w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=1200,775 1200w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=1536,992 1536w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=384,248 384w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=900,581 900w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=1600,1033 1600w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=50,32 50w” sizes=”(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px”/>An NYPD officer demonstrates a drone in operation in Central Park during a Nov. 13, 2024 announcement with Mayor Eric Adams and police officials.
During the Adams management, the NYPD has increasingly relied upon drones for various purposes — from attempting to locate lost swimmers on the city’s beaches; to assisting the FDNY in battling wildfires; to monitoring protests; and to locating alleged criminals.
In November, Mayor Eric Adams and NYPD brass announced a new drone first responder program in Central Park and at five other police precincts across the city to add extra sets of eyes on the communities.
“We are leveraging the latest technology to enhance the NYPD’s emergency-response capabilities, remotely sending drones to the exact longitude and latitude of where an emergency call comes and sometimes in as little as a minute,” Mayor Adams said during the Nov. 13 announcement. “These drones will mean more efficient policing and will help increase the safety of our responding NYPD officers and New Yorkers.”
But the DOI’s report released Wednesday found that the NYPD’s IUP concerning drones did not “sufficiently disclose all of the information required by the POST Act,and does not provide a complete and accurate picture of all aspects of NYPD” drone operations in practice.”
Such as, though the NYPD’s IUP requires that all drone deployments are operated and supervised by the Technical Assistance and Response Unit (TARU), the DOI study found that multiple units within the department had their own drone programs — including the Transit Bureau, the Highway Patrolos’ Collision Technician Group, the Emergency Services Unit, the Counterterrorism Division and the Office of the Chief of Department.
Moreover,the study found that the commanding officer for a newly-formed Drone Team within the NYPD that consolidated several operational units reports directly to the Deputy Commissioner of Operations,Kaz Daughtry,rather than Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey,which is in conflict with the chain of command outlined in the NYPD IUP.
The NYPD’s drone policy also does not reflect that flight log information for the drones is now captured in the city’s FORMS database, so TARU was no longer required to maintain such logs. It also did not disclose the potential risks for the devices’ lithium-ion batteries, which have been known as notorious firestarters around the city in recent years.
“Drones can be a critical public safety tool capable of enhancing NYPD operations,” said DOI Commissioner Jocelyn E. Strauber. “However, this report found that NYPD’s impact and use policies do not fully and accurately describe the Department’s unmanned aircraft systems’ practices in certain respects and issued key recommendations to achieve that goal.”
The full DOI report can be found online at nyc.gov/doi.
Path of change
The DOI issued 10 recommendations for the NYPD to follow, all of which focus on updating its IUP for drone operations — including clearly outlining the approval, supervision and reporting structure for drone operations; listing all drone capabilities; fully disclosing health and safety impacts; and clearly establishing that the automated flight log information shoudl be posted in FORMS, rather than maintained by TARU.
amNewYork Metro reached out to the NYPD for comment and is awaiting a response.
the report did not come as a surprise to Albert Fox Cahn, executive director of the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (STOP) — a nonprofit watchdog that aims to stop mass surveillance and reinforce individual rights to privacy.
Cahn told amNewYork Metro that the DOI report “makes clear that the NYPD surveillance apparatus continues to brazenly break the law,and it’s long past time that the City Council takes action.”
“When it comes to NYPD’s illegal drone surveillance, the sky’s the limit,” Cahn said. “The POST Act never imagined a mayor who would so openly condone breaking the law, and the Council must amend the POST Act to hold the NYPD to account. The NYPD’s drone program is blatantly illegal, but it’s also a massive waste of money, sending drones to New Yorkers who actually need human help in an emergency.”
## NYPD Drone Program under Fire: A Conversation with the DOI’s Inspector General
**host:** Welcome back to Archyde News. Today, we’re discussing a new report from the Department of Inquiry that’s raising serious questions about the NYPD’s expanding drone program. Joining us is Jeanene Barrett,the DOI’s Inspector General for the NYPD,who led the investigation. Inspector General Barrett, thank you for being here.
**Jeanene Barrett:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** Your report highlights a notable increase in the NYPD’s use of drones. Can you tell our viewers what prompted this investigation?
**Jeanene Barrett:** Certainly. The NYPD’s use of drone technology has increased dramatically in recent years. While we recognize the potential benefits of this technology, our investigation stemmed from concerns about a lack of transparency and proper oversight regarding how these drones are being deployed and the potential impact on New Yorkers’ privacy.
**Host:** What were some of the key findings of your investigation?
**Jeanene Barrett:** Our investigation focused on the NYPD’s compliance with the Public Oversight of Surveillance Technology (POST) Act, a law designed to ensure accountability for the NYPD’s use of surveillance technologies. We found that the NYPD’s publicly available Impact and Use Policy (IUP) for drones lacks crucial details about the capabilities of these devices.
For example, it doesn’t fully disclose features like mapping technology, dialog functionalities, and even a device capable of breaking glass.
**Host:** Those sound like significant omissions. What are the implications of such a lack of transparency?
**jeanene barrett:** Transparency is crucial when it comes to surveillance technologies. The public has a right to know how these devices are being used and what capabilities they possess. without this information, it’s tough to assess the potential risks to privacy, safety, and civil liberties.
**Host:** The report also mentions concerns about the potential for misuse and lack of clear oversight. Can you elaborate on that?
**Jeanene Barrett:** We found that the NYPD’s drone program lacks a clear chain of command and robust supervision protocols. This raises concerns about potential for misuse and the potential for drones to be deployed in a manner that violates individual rights.
**Host:** Mayor Adams has championed the NYPD’s drone program, pointing to it’s potential benefits in areas like firefighting and search-and-rescue operations. How do you balance those potential benefits with the concerns raised in your report?
**Jeanene Barrett:** We recognize the potential benefits of drone technology when used responsibly. Our goal is not to stifle innovation, but to ensure that these technologies are deployed within a framework that protects privacy and civil liberties. That’s why we’re recommending the NYPD revise its IUP to be more transparent and accountable. We also urge the creation of a clearly defined chain of command for drone operations and the implementation of stronger supervision protocols.
**Host:** What steps can the public take to ensure the NYPD’s drone program is used responsibly?
**Jeanene Barrett:** Staying informed is key. Read the DOI report, familiarize yourself with the NYPD’s IUP, and attend community meetings where drone deployment is discussed. Advocate for greater transparency and hold elected officials accountable for ensuring responsible use of this technology.
**Host:** Inspector General barrett, thank you for shedding light on this critically important issue. We’ll continue to follow this story as it develops.
**Jeanene Barrett:** My pleasure.
A new report from the Department of Investigation (DOI) has raised concerns about the NYPD’s increasing reliance on drones. While acknowledging the department’s expanded use of unmanned aerial devices, the report criticizes the NYPD for lacking proper supervision protocols and a clear chain of command for its drone program. released on December 18th, 2024, the report highlights a growing public unease over drones flying above new York City [[1](https://www.nyc.gov/site/nypd/stats/reports-analysis/uas-drones.page)]and underscores the need for greater transparency surrounding their deployment.
The DOI’s investigation focused on the NYPD’s compliance with the Public Oversight of Surveillance Technology (POST) Act,a 2020 law designed to oversee the NYPD’s surveillance practices. Jeanene Barrett, the DOI’s Inspector-General for the NYPD, led the review.
“NYPD’s increase in drone usage in recent years has raised privacy concerns related to how drones are used to conduct police surveillance,” Barrett said. “The recommendations in this report call on the NYPD to enhance its unmanned aircraft systems’ impact and use policy by providing additional details about the drone program and drone capabilities, thereby increasing public transparency related to [its] use of this technology.”
The report takes issue with the NYPD’s publicly available Impact and Use policy (IUP) for drone operations, arguing that it fails to fully disclose the capabilities of these devices. The policy, issued in September 2023, doesn’t adequately detail features such as mapping technologies, communication functionalities, and even a device capable of breaking glass when necessary. Furthermore, the IUP doesn’t comprehensively address potential health and safety risks associated with drone usage, nor the risk of damage to both public and private property.
?resize=700,452 700w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=768,496 768w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=1200,775 1200w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=1536,992 1536w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=384,248 384w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=900,581 900w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=1600,1033 1600w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=50,32 50w” sizes=”(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px”/>An NYPD officer demonstrates a drone in operation in Central Park during a Nov. 13, 2024 announcement with Mayor Eric Adams and police officials.
During the Adams management, the NYPD has increasingly relied upon drones for various purposes — from attempting to locate lost swimmers on the city’s beaches; to assisting the FDNY in battling wildfires; to monitoring protests; and to locating alleged criminals.
In November, Mayor Eric Adams and NYPD brass announced a new drone first responder program in Central Park and at five other police precincts across the city to add extra sets of eyes on the communities.
“We are leveraging the latest technology to enhance the NYPD’s emergency-response capabilities, remotely sending drones to the exact longitude and latitude of where an emergency call comes and sometimes in as little as a minute,” Mayor Adams said during the Nov. 13 announcement. “These drones will mean more efficient policing and will help increase the safety of our responding NYPD officers and New Yorkers.”
But the DOI’s report released Wednesday found that the NYPD’s IUP concerning drones did not “sufficiently disclose all of the information required by the POST Act,and does not provide a complete and accurate picture of all aspects of NYPD” drone operations in practice.”
Such as, though the NYPD’s IUP requires that all drone deployments are operated and supervised by the Technical Assistance and Response Unit (TARU), the DOI study found that multiple units within the department had their own drone programs — including the Transit Bureau, the Highway Patrolos’ Collision Technician Group, the Emergency Services Unit, the Counterterrorism Division and the Office of the Chief of Department.
Moreover,the study found that the commanding officer for a newly-formed Drone Team within the NYPD that consolidated several operational units reports directly to the Deputy Commissioner of Operations,Kaz Daughtry,rather than Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey,which is in conflict with the chain of command outlined in the NYPD IUP.
The NYPD’s drone policy also does not reflect that flight log information for the drones is now captured in the city’s FORMS database, so TARU was no longer required to maintain such logs. It also did not disclose the potential risks for the devices’ lithium-ion batteries, which have been known as notorious firestarters around the city in recent years.
“Drones can be a critical public safety tool capable of enhancing NYPD operations,” said DOI Commissioner Jocelyn E. Strauber. “However, this report found that NYPD’s impact and use policies do not fully and accurately describe the Department’s unmanned aircraft systems’ practices in certain respects and issued key recommendations to achieve that goal.”
The full DOI report can be found online at nyc.gov/doi.
Path of change
The DOI issued 10 recommendations for the NYPD to follow, all of which focus on updating its IUP for drone operations — including clearly outlining the approval, supervision and reporting structure for drone operations; listing all drone capabilities; fully disclosing health and safety impacts; and clearly establishing that the automated flight log information shoudl be posted in FORMS, rather than maintained by TARU.
amNewYork Metro reached out to the NYPD for comment and is awaiting a response.
the report did not come as a surprise to Albert Fox Cahn, executive director of the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (STOP) — a nonprofit watchdog that aims to stop mass surveillance and reinforce individual rights to privacy.
Cahn told amNewYork Metro that the DOI report “makes clear that the NYPD surveillance apparatus continues to brazenly break the law,and it’s long past time that the City Council takes action.”
“When it comes to NYPD’s illegal drone surveillance, the sky’s the limit,” Cahn said. “The POST Act never imagined a mayor who would so openly condone breaking the law, and the Council must amend the POST Act to hold the NYPD to account. The NYPD’s drone program is blatantly illegal, but it’s also a massive waste of money, sending drones to New Yorkers who actually need human help in an emergency.”
## NYPD Drone Program under Fire: A Conversation with the DOI’s Inspector General
**host:** Welcome back to Archyde News. Today, we’re discussing a new report from the Department of Inquiry that’s raising serious questions about the NYPD’s expanding drone program. Joining us is Jeanene Barrett,the DOI’s Inspector General for the NYPD,who led the investigation. Inspector General Barrett, thank you for being here.
**Jeanene Barrett:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** Your report highlights a notable increase in the NYPD’s use of drones. Can you tell our viewers what prompted this investigation?
**Jeanene Barrett:** Certainly. The NYPD’s use of drone technology has increased dramatically in recent years. While we recognize the potential benefits of this technology, our investigation stemmed from concerns about a lack of transparency and proper oversight regarding how these drones are being deployed and the potential impact on New Yorkers’ privacy.
**Host:** What were some of the key findings of your investigation?
**Jeanene Barrett:** Our investigation focused on the NYPD’s compliance with the Public Oversight of Surveillance Technology (POST) Act, a law designed to ensure accountability for the NYPD’s use of surveillance technologies. We found that the NYPD’s publicly available Impact and Use Policy (IUP) for drones lacks crucial details about the capabilities of these devices.
For example, it doesn’t fully disclose features like mapping technology, dialog functionalities, and even a device capable of breaking glass.
**Host:** Those sound like significant omissions. What are the implications of such a lack of transparency?
**jeanene barrett:** Transparency is crucial when it comes to surveillance technologies. The public has a right to know how these devices are being used and what capabilities they possess. without this information, it’s tough to assess the potential risks to privacy, safety, and civil liberties.
**Host:** The report also mentions concerns about the potential for misuse and lack of clear oversight. Can you elaborate on that?
**Jeanene Barrett:** We found that the NYPD’s drone program lacks a clear chain of command and robust supervision protocols. This raises concerns about potential for misuse and the potential for drones to be deployed in a manner that violates individual rights.
**Host:** Mayor Adams has championed the NYPD’s drone program, pointing to it’s potential benefits in areas like firefighting and search-and-rescue operations. How do you balance those potential benefits with the concerns raised in your report?
**Jeanene Barrett:** We recognize the potential benefits of drone technology when used responsibly. Our goal is not to stifle innovation, but to ensure that these technologies are deployed within a framework that protects privacy and civil liberties. That’s why we’re recommending the NYPD revise its IUP to be more transparent and accountable. We also urge the creation of a clearly defined chain of command for drone operations and the implementation of stronger supervision protocols.
**Host:** What steps can the public take to ensure the NYPD’s drone program is used responsibly?
**Jeanene Barrett:** Staying informed is key. Read the DOI report, familiarize yourself with the NYPD’s IUP, and attend community meetings where drone deployment is discussed. Advocate for greater transparency and hold elected officials accountable for ensuring responsible use of this technology.
**Host:** Inspector General barrett, thank you for shedding light on this critically important issue. We’ll continue to follow this story as it develops.
**Jeanene Barrett:** My pleasure.
A new report from the Department of Investigation (DOI) has raised concerns about the NYPD’s increasing reliance on drones. While acknowledging the department’s expanded use of unmanned aerial devices, the report criticizes the NYPD for lacking proper supervision protocols and a clear chain of command for its drone program. released on December 18th, 2024, the report highlights a growing public unease over drones flying above new York City [[1](https://www.nyc.gov/site/nypd/stats/reports-analysis/uas-drones.page)]and underscores the need for greater transparency surrounding their deployment.
The DOI’s investigation focused on the NYPD’s compliance with the Public Oversight of Surveillance Technology (POST) Act,a 2020 law designed to oversee the NYPD’s surveillance practices. Jeanene Barrett, the DOI’s Inspector-General for the NYPD, led the review.
“NYPD’s increase in drone usage in recent years has raised privacy concerns related to how drones are used to conduct police surveillance,” Barrett said. “The recommendations in this report call on the NYPD to enhance its unmanned aircraft systems’ impact and use policy by providing additional details about the drone program and drone capabilities, thereby increasing public transparency related to [its] use of this technology.”
The report takes issue with the NYPD’s publicly available Impact and Use policy (IUP) for drone operations, arguing that it fails to fully disclose the capabilities of these devices. The policy, issued in September 2023, doesn’t adequately detail features such as mapping technologies, communication functionalities, and even a device capable of breaking glass when necessary. Furthermore, the IUP doesn’t comprehensively address potential health and safety risks associated with drone usage, nor the risk of damage to both public and private property.
?resize=700,452 700w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=768,496 768w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=1200,775 1200w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=1536,992 1536w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=384,248 384w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=900,581 900w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=1600,1033 1600w, https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-18-at-11.59.17-AM.jpg?resize=50,32 50w” sizes=”(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px”/>An NYPD officer demonstrates a drone in operation in Central Park during a Nov. 13, 2024 announcement with Mayor Eric Adams and police officials.
During the Adams management, the NYPD has increasingly relied upon drones for various purposes — from attempting to locate lost swimmers on the city’s beaches; to assisting the FDNY in battling wildfires; to monitoring protests; and to locating alleged criminals.
In November, Mayor Eric Adams and NYPD brass announced a new drone first responder program in Central Park and at five other police precincts across the city to add extra sets of eyes on the communities.
“We are leveraging the latest technology to enhance the NYPD’s emergency-response capabilities, remotely sending drones to the exact longitude and latitude of where an emergency call comes and sometimes in as little as a minute,” Mayor Adams said during the Nov. 13 announcement. “These drones will mean more efficient policing and will help increase the safety of our responding NYPD officers and New Yorkers.”
But the DOI’s report released Wednesday found that the NYPD’s IUP concerning drones did not “sufficiently disclose all of the information required by the POST Act,and does not provide a complete and accurate picture of all aspects of NYPD” drone operations in practice.”
Such as, though the NYPD’s IUP requires that all drone deployments are operated and supervised by the Technical Assistance and Response Unit (TARU), the DOI study found that multiple units within the department had their own drone programs — including the Transit Bureau, the Highway Patrolos’ Collision Technician Group, the Emergency Services Unit, the Counterterrorism Division and the Office of the Chief of Department.
Moreover,the study found that the commanding officer for a newly-formed Drone Team within the NYPD that consolidated several operational units reports directly to the Deputy Commissioner of Operations,Kaz Daughtry,rather than Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey,which is in conflict with the chain of command outlined in the NYPD IUP.
The NYPD’s drone policy also does not reflect that flight log information for the drones is now captured in the city’s FORMS database, so TARU was no longer required to maintain such logs. It also did not disclose the potential risks for the devices’ lithium-ion batteries, which have been known as notorious firestarters around the city in recent years.
“Drones can be a critical public safety tool capable of enhancing NYPD operations,” said DOI Commissioner Jocelyn E. Strauber. “However, this report found that NYPD’s impact and use policies do not fully and accurately describe the Department’s unmanned aircraft systems’ practices in certain respects and issued key recommendations to achieve that goal.”
The full DOI report can be found online at nyc.gov/doi.
Path of change
The DOI issued 10 recommendations for the NYPD to follow, all of which focus on updating its IUP for drone operations — including clearly outlining the approval, supervision and reporting structure for drone operations; listing all drone capabilities; fully disclosing health and safety impacts; and clearly establishing that the automated flight log information shoudl be posted in FORMS, rather than maintained by TARU.
amNewYork Metro reached out to the NYPD for comment and is awaiting a response.
the report did not come as a surprise to Albert Fox Cahn, executive director of the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (STOP) — a nonprofit watchdog that aims to stop mass surveillance and reinforce individual rights to privacy.
Cahn told amNewYork Metro that the DOI report “makes clear that the NYPD surveillance apparatus continues to brazenly break the law,and it’s long past time that the City Council takes action.”
“When it comes to NYPD’s illegal drone surveillance, the sky’s the limit,” Cahn said. “The POST Act never imagined a mayor who would so openly condone breaking the law, and the Council must amend the POST Act to hold the NYPD to account. The NYPD’s drone program is blatantly illegal, but it’s also a massive waste of money, sending drones to New Yorkers who actually need human help in an emergency.”
## NYPD Drone Program under Fire: A Conversation with the DOI’s Inspector General
**host:** Welcome back to Archyde News. Today, we’re discussing a new report from the Department of Inquiry that’s raising serious questions about the NYPD’s expanding drone program. Joining us is Jeanene Barrett,the DOI’s Inspector General for the NYPD,who led the investigation. Inspector General Barrett, thank you for being here.
**Jeanene Barrett:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** Your report highlights a notable increase in the NYPD’s use of drones. Can you tell our viewers what prompted this investigation?
**Jeanene Barrett:** Certainly. The NYPD’s use of drone technology has increased dramatically in recent years. While we recognize the potential benefits of this technology, our investigation stemmed from concerns about a lack of transparency and proper oversight regarding how these drones are being deployed and the potential impact on New Yorkers’ privacy.
**Host:** What were some of the key findings of your investigation?
**Jeanene Barrett:** Our investigation focused on the NYPD’s compliance with the Public Oversight of Surveillance Technology (POST) Act, a law designed to ensure accountability for the NYPD’s use of surveillance technologies. We found that the NYPD’s publicly available Impact and Use Policy (IUP) for drones lacks crucial details about the capabilities of these devices.
For example, it doesn’t fully disclose features like mapping technology, dialog functionalities, and even a device capable of breaking glass.
**Host:** Those sound like significant omissions. What are the implications of such a lack of transparency?
**jeanene barrett:** Transparency is crucial when it comes to surveillance technologies. The public has a right to know how these devices are being used and what capabilities they possess. without this information, it’s tough to assess the potential risks to privacy, safety, and civil liberties.
**Host:** The report also mentions concerns about the potential for misuse and lack of clear oversight. Can you elaborate on that?
**Jeanene Barrett:** We found that the NYPD’s drone program lacks a clear chain of command and robust supervision protocols. This raises concerns about potential for misuse and the potential for drones to be deployed in a manner that violates individual rights.
**Host:** Mayor Adams has championed the NYPD’s drone program, pointing to it’s potential benefits in areas like firefighting and search-and-rescue operations. How do you balance those potential benefits with the concerns raised in your report?
**Jeanene Barrett:** We recognize the potential benefits of drone technology when used responsibly. Our goal is not to stifle innovation, but to ensure that these technologies are deployed within a framework that protects privacy and civil liberties. That’s why we’re recommending the NYPD revise its IUP to be more transparent and accountable. We also urge the creation of a clearly defined chain of command for drone operations and the implementation of stronger supervision protocols.
**Host:** What steps can the public take to ensure the NYPD’s drone program is used responsibly?
**Jeanene Barrett:** Staying informed is key. Read the DOI report, familiarize yourself with the NYPD’s IUP, and attend community meetings where drone deployment is discussed. Advocate for greater transparency and hold elected officials accountable for ensuring responsible use of this technology.
**Host:** Inspector General barrett, thank you for shedding light on this critically important issue. We’ll continue to follow this story as it develops.
