South Lake Tahoe Police | Drones
South Lake Tahoe Police's 2025 military equipment report lists three drones, five deployments in 2025, and two purchases that year: a DJI Matrice at $15,114 and a DJI Mini 4 at $1,249.
At a glance
How it happened
- Decision
Council renews the military equipment ordinance
Resolution 2024-033 approved receipt of the AB 481 2023 annual report and renewal of Ordinance 2022-1163 with an updated equipment list. [2]
- Context
2025 annual report
Three drones; five deployments; $350 in operator training; two purchases; "no plans to purchase additional UAVs in the next calendar year." [1]
What the report says
The department’s 2025 annual report under Government Code 7072 states that “The SLTPD has three UAVs which were utilized as follows in 2025: Aerial search for wanted suspect. (Avata) Aerial intelligence for armed, barricaded subject. (Avata) Aerial intelligence for armed, barricaded subject. (Matrice) Aerial intelligence to locate explosive device. (Matrice) Aerial search for arson suspect. (Avata).” It records no complaints, no audits or violations, $350 spent on operator training, and two purchases: “DJI Matrice $15,114 DJI Mini 4 $1,249.”[1]
The same report covers a PakBot 510 ground robot used twice in training and a NaviStar MaxxPro armored vehicle acquired from the military in 2013.[1] The City Council renewed the military equipment ordinance by Resolution 2024-033 on March 12, 2024.[2]
Questions
- What were the drones used for in 2025?
- The report lists an aerial search for a wanted suspect, two armed barricaded-subject incidents, locating an explosive device, and a search for an arson suspect. [1]
- Were there complaints?
- The report says the department "did not receive any complaints or concerns" and recorded no audits, violations or discipline. [1]
What we do not know
- The 2026 report when published, and the imagery retention rule in Policy 705.
What you can do
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Surveillance Self-Defense →Sources
- 1. South Lake Tahoe Police Department, AB 481 Annual Report 2025 · Primary document · accessed
- 2. City of South Lake Tahoe, Resolution 2024-033 · Meeting record · · accessed
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