What safeguards are in place?

All Police Scotland drone operations are governed by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and are fully compliant with aviation legislation. The CAA has granted Police Scotland a Standard Permission and Operational Authorisation to undertake drone activity in support of policing operations in both urban and rural environments.

Police Scotland’s Air Capacity (as at May 2021)

3x DJI M210 Drones

4x DJI Phantom Drones

1x Helicopter

Police Scotland’s current drone activity is based on the 2013 UK Home Office publication ‘Surveillance Cameras Code of Practice’. This document is widely referred to by Police Forces in England & Wales and outlines guiding principles that are designed to provide a framework for drone operators so that there is proportionality and transparency in their use of systems.

Police Scotland is now developing its own Code of Practice which will focus specifically on drone operations for Police Scotland. This Code of Practice will be publicly available.