06. January 2025
Sfpd Takes Flight With High-Tech Drones For Enhanced Surveillance

Heightened surveillance measures are becoming increasingly prevalent in law enforcement across the United States. The San Francisco Police Department has deployed DJI Matrice 30T drones as part of an expanded surveillance program, marking a significant shift in its approach to urban surveillance and pursuit operations.
The drones have conducted 240 missions since their introduction in March, primarily supporting ground units in tracking suspects while maintaining a safe distance. Sgt. Eric Batchelder, SFPD’s unmanned aircraft system manager, notes that the technology has changed the way police work, enabling officers to maintain visual contact with suspects without risking direct confrontation.
The program’s implementation follows the passage of Proposition E, which expanded police surveillance powers and reduced oversight requirements. The measure, supported by outgoing Mayor London Breed, received 54% voter approval amid growing public safety concerns in the city.
However, the expansion of police surveillance capabilities has raised significant privacy concerns. The Electronic Frontier Foundation’s senior staff attorney Saira Hussain warns about the potential for abuse and mission creep, particularly regarding the comprehensive data collection enabled by the combined drone and automated license plate reader systems.
The DJI Matrice 30T integration represents part of a broader technological enhancement that includes nearly 400 ALPRs capturing approximately 3 million images on an average weekday. The combined system has contributed to 140 arrests in stolen vehicle cases between March and November.
While the department maintains that technological tools like the Matrice 30T enhance officer safety and operational efficiency without replacing traditional policing methods, privacy advocates argue that the oversight reduction could lead to expanded surveillance beyond the original scope.
Looking ahead to 2025, SFPD plans to expand its surveillance network by increasing access to business-owned cameras and developing an integrated hub for its various technology programs. This expansion suggests drones will play an increasingly significant role in urban law enforcement, despite ongoing debates about privacy and civil liberties.
The implementation of drone technology in law enforcement continues to evolve, with departments nationwide watching San Francisco’s program as a potential model for their own aerial surveillance initiatives. As cities balance public safety with privacy concerns, the success or failure of SFPD’s drone program could influence the future of urban policing across the United States, shaping how police use technology to maintain order in increasingly complex environments.