Proceedings of The 11th International Conference on Research in Behavioral and Social Sciences
Year: 2023
DOI:
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Policing from the Sky: the promise and Challenge of police use of Drones
Łukasz Dziura
ABSTRACT:
It is no secret that drones as a technology can be a boon to police agencies. They can (and oftentimes already are) be used to map the city, monitor traffic and traffic accidents, map the crime scene, help with search & rescue missions, monitor public assemblies and events, or even neutralize illegal drones. At the same time, it is imperative that police agencies need to be equipped with the latest and most advanced technology to perform their task of protecting public safety most efficiently and effectively. However, the use of those technologies in a democratic society governed by the rule of law needs to be properly regulated. Ensuring that police oversight does not hinder its capabilities is not an easy task. While most legislators focus on that part, many forget about the social perception of the police. Police technology, when used incorrectly and without legitimate reason, can become hostile in the eyes of the public. This article’s focus is twofold. Firstly, it describes the potential encroachment of police drones on the right to privacy and the need for proper oversight over police activities using drones. Secondly, it presents findings from socio-legal research that was conducted between 2019 – 2023. This study combines doctrinal legal research with empirical studies conducted in Poland, Germany, Spain, and the United Kingdom. It consists of in-depth interviews that were conducted with police officers, national aviation safety agency officers, and foreign experts in the field.
keywords: law enforcement, perception, privacy, remotely piloted aircrafts, surveillance