New Orleans Cops Published Policy Document Allowing Weaponized Drones
12 hours ago
- The New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) published a draft drone manual allowing weaponized drones with superintendent approval, but later replaced it with a version banning weapons.
- NOPD claims the weaponized drone rules were an early draft, but the incident highlights the department's history of pushing surveillance boundaries and evading public scrutiny.
- Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) regulations prohibit arming drones with dangerous weapons, but experts note these rules are outdated and often ignored by law enforcement.
- Drone manufacturer Skydio, which supplies NOPD, initially opposed weaponizing drones but its CEO later stated it's not their place to restrict military or police use.
- Experts warn that arming drones could lower the threshold for police use of force, making it easier to deploy lethal force remotely with less emotional burden.
- The city council approved $250,000 for expanding Skydio drones in the French Quarter, despite concerns about surveillance and weaponization, with NOPD promising no weapons or facial recognition.