Congressional Proposal Could Increase Police Use of Drones in Southern California

A new funding proposal in Congress could open the door for local police departments in Southern California to purchase and use drones for various law enforcement tasks. This legislation, introduced by Southern California Rep. Lou Correa and Texas Rep. Troy Nehls, would allow law enforcement agencies to access federal grant money for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), also known as drones, through programs like the Department of Justice's Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant and Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grant.

The proposed legislation, known as The (DRONE) Act of 2025, would enable local law enforcement to use drones equipped with cameras and other technology for a range of purposes, including responding to emergencies, traffic incidents, crime scenes, and surveillance of crowds. Drones have already been integrated into some Southern California police departments’ routines, although their use has been relatively limited in scope until now.

While the amount of funding available through these grants remains uncertain, the proposal has sparked significant interest among law enforcement agencies across the country. Drones have already been used by hundreds of police and law enforcement groups for tasks such as high-speed chases and crowd surveillance. However, the technology has raised concerns among civil liberties groups, who warn that it could lead to excessive surveillance and invasion of privacy.

In Orange County, several cities and the sheriff’s department have incorporated drones into their operations. Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes praised the technology, noting that it has produced “phenomenally efficient” results. Drones are now used for crime mapping, investigations, and tactical operations, such as handling bomb threats, hostage situations, and barricades. The sheriff also highlighted how drones can map out traffic collision scenes in minutes, a process that used to take hours.

“It used to take us hours,” Barnes said. “Some things have to be done by people, but the more we can do with technology that reduces risk, cost, and liability, we’re going in that direction.”

Rep. Correa emphasized that drones are transforming how law enforcement approaches public safety, pointing out that they could potentially replace dangerous high-speed pursuits and reduce reliance on costly equipment like helicopters for non-urgent calls.

The legislation also includes provisions to encourage the purchase of unmanned aircraft from U.S.-based manufacturers, which are often more expensive than foreign alternatives. This push is partly driven by concerns over national security, particularly regarding drones from Chinese companies like Da Jiang Innovations, which have raised fears about espionage and data privacy.

Many law enforcement agencies are facing challenges in selecting the best and most affordable domestic drone options, as they can be four or five times more expensive than foreign models. Chula Vista Police Chief Roxana Kennedy highlighted the difficulty of securing funding for drone technology at the federal level, calling it a critical tool for improving situational awareness and helping officers make better decisions during emergencies.

In 2018, Chula Vista became the first department in the nation to receive FAA approval to integrate drones into national airspace as part of its "Drone as First Responder" program. The drones are sent to 911 calls and emergencies before first responders arrive, giving them better information and reducing the risks for both officers and civilians.

The proposed legislation has garnered support from law enforcement organizations such as the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, the National Fraternal Order of Police, and the Peace Officers Research Association of California.

While law enforcement agencies have largely supported the proposal, Rep. Correa acknowledged public concerns over privacy. He emphasized that these issues could be addressed through legislation that would regulate where drones fly and how the data they collect is used.