Cleveland Police Deploy Drone at Pro-Palestine Protest Despite Lacking DOJ Approval

A controversial drone deployment by Cleveland has sparked debate after officers used the unmanned aircraft to monitor protesters outside County Executive Chris Ronayne’s residence, despite lacking required authorization, reports Signal Cleveland.

Unauthorized Surveillance Operation

The Cleveland Division of Police confirmed through Sergeant Wilfredo Diaz that they operated a drone during Sunday’s demonstration against county investments in Bonds. This action occurred before receiving mandatory DOJ approval of their recently passed drone policy.

Policy Status and Restrictions

The Cleveland Community Police Commission had just approved a drone framework, but with significant modifications. Notably, commissioners explicitly removed language that would have permitted monitoring of “individuals or groups within large gatherings or for crowd control.” This amendment came after community members, including Lucas Waggoner, criticized the original policy as being “intentionally vague” with “easily exploitable language.”

Equipment Ready, Authorization Pending

Safety Chair Michael Polensek revealed that ten have been sitting unused at the Division of Police for years. While there’s been pressure to get these devices airborne, Commissioner Teri Wang emphasized that surveillance of large gatherings would be prohibited even after DOJ approval.

Legal and Civil Rights Implications

Police drones, essentially aerial camera platforms, have seen increasing adoption by law enforcement since 2005. The American Civil Liberties Union has raised significant concerns about potential Fourth Amendment violations regarding unreasonable searches and seizures through drone surveillance.

DroneXL’s Take

This incident highlights the growing tension between law enforcement’s desire to leverage and the need for proper oversight and policy frameworks. Similar to concerns raised in our coverage of data security and first responder operations, the Cleveland case demonstrates why comprehensive policies must be in place before deploying drone technology. The intersection of public safety and civil liberties requires careful consideration, particularly when implementing new surveillance capabilities.

What are your thoughts on use at public gatherings? Share your perspective in the comments below.

Photo for illustration purposes only. Credit DJI.


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Haye Kesteloo
Haye Kesteloo

Haye Kesteloo is a leading drone industry expert and Editor in Chief of DroneXL.co and EVXL.co, where he covers drone technology, industry developments, and electric mobility trends. With over nine years of specialized coverage in unmanned aerial systems, his insights have been featured in The New York Times, The Financial Times, and cited by The Brookings Institute, Foreign Policy, Politico and others.

Before founding DroneXL.co, Kesteloo built his expertise at DroneDJ. He currently co-hosts the PiXL Drone Show on YouTube and podcast platforms, sharing industry insights with a global audience. His reporting has influenced policy discussions and been referenced in federal documents, establishing him as an authoritative voice in drone technology and regulation. He can be reached at haye @ dronexl.co or @hayekesteloo.

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