Grounded Operations: Exploring Barriers to Drone Program Adoption in Law Enforcement Agencies

Abstract

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) have proven beneficial for law enforcement activities, especially in situations where an aerial viewpoint is advantageous to the officers on the ground. However, proper deployment of UAS programs takes resources and buy-in to succeed. This study developed a survey to benchmark the use of UAS programs for law enforcement activities in the Southeastern United States. The responses from agencies who indicated they did not currently have a drone program were explored to identify perceptions of drone potential, constraints preventing program deployment, and knowledge pertaining to program development. Budgeting constraints and justification of a program’s benefits over all use of the resources were of the top concerns. Other barriers included policy development and low call volume to justify the creation of the program.