A Los Angeles City Council Committee is set to debate the use of drones by the LAPD today. The Police Commission approved a year-long pilot program in October for testing, but the drones have remained grounded for now.
According to the proposal, drones would be used by the Los Angeles Police Department to help resolve "dangerous, high-risk tactical situations and improve situational awareness capabilities during natural disasters and catastrophic incidents."
Critics say drones could lead to privacy issues and are subject to abuse by officers who use them improperly. Others have said that arrests prompted by drones might be unconstitutional.
Officials with the LAPD say drones with cameras can protect officers. They've also promised to not mount any weapons, lethal or non-lethal, on the unmanned aircraft.