City Considers Ban On Police Use Of Drones

BERKELEY, Calif. (AP) — A Northern California city is seeking a temporary ban of police use of drones, increasingly popular unmanned aircraft.

The Berkeley City Council will consider Tuesday night whether to impose a 2-year moratorium on police use of unmanned aircraft to study the issue. The commission said the 2-year ban will give the council time to develop a policy for the use of drones. Hobbyists would still be able to fly drones in the city in the ban is passed.

The city's Peace and Justice Commission developed the proposed resolution out of privacy concerns. Many police departments across the country are acquiring drones to assist with surveillance, searching for missing people and other uses. At least four cities have barred their police departments from acquiring the technology amid privacy concerns.