Police Commission Approves New Drone Policy
The order now moves to the Board of Supervisors for additional public input on surveillance standards.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Law Enforcement
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San Francisco residents will see updated rules for police drone use following a vote by the Police Commission. The commission approved Department General Order 10:12, a move intended to set firm limits on how officers deploy surveillance technology in the city.
Why it matters
The policy aims to balance law enforcement's investigative tools with privacy concerns regarding civilian surveillance. Because the matter is now headed to the Board of Supervisors, residents have another opportunity to weigh in on how these drones are managed on city streets.
The Police Commission approved Department General Order 10:12 in a vote with one dissenting member. The full scope of the policy's implementation schedule remains under review as the proposal moves to the Board of Supervisors for further public input.
The players
San Francisco Police Commission
The civilian body that provides oversight and sets policies for the San Francisco Police Department.
Board of Supervisors
The city's 11-member legislative branch which must now review the proposed drone order.
The details
The commission approved the drone policy, known as Department General Order 10:12, following a public meeting where members heard community feedback. Current protocol limits the use of these drones to active criminal investigations, training exercises, and public safety responses. The proposal now advances to the Board of Supervisors, where further public hearings will determine the final framework for how the department operates these devices.
Timeline
2024: San Francisco voters passed Proposition E to allow for increased police drone use.
October 14, 2026: The Police Commission met to approve the new drone policy.
Across the Bay
This order follows the 2024 passage of Proposition E, which granted the police department the authority to use drones. The commission's vote marks the administrative step of setting the privacy and deployment guardrails required by that measure.
Residents can prepare to attend upcoming public hearings held by the Board of Supervisors to share their feedback on the finalized drone policy. The current rules remain in effect, limiting drone use to safety and investigative incidents, until the legislative process concludes.
The takeaway
The commission has set the initial rules, but the Board of Supervisors will hold the final public hearings on this surveillance policy. Keep an eye on the supervisor meeting calendar to find when you can speak to the proposal before it is finalized.
Further reading
For more on local policy changes, visit San Francisco Law Enforcement.
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Should police departments be permitted to use drones for monitoring in your community?
