This toolkit is designed to assist law enforcement and public safety entities in operating and handling situations involving drones or UAS.

Have questions about what to do when an officer encounters a suspicious drone?

• Download and print our Law Enforcement Pocket Card (PDF)

Have questions about operating a UAS as a public safety agency?

• All drones operated by public safety must comply with title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations
• Download a flow chart to help determine which pathway public safety needs to take for waivers to Part 107 or Part 91

For public safety sUA flights conducted as a civil aircraft under 14 CFR Part 107 

• Download a sample letter to attach to your Public Safety Waiver Application 
• Download the Public Safety Guide to the PSO Shielded Ops Waiver Application
• Download the Part 107 PSO-SO Checklist
• Download the FAADZ Guide to applying for a Wide Area Airspace Authorization
• Download instructions on how to change the organization name or the responsible person name in your account

For public safety sUA flights conducted as a public aircraft under 14 CFR Part 91

• Download a sample Public Aircraft and Public Safety Organization letter to attach to your Public Safety Waiver Application
• Download the guide to completing Form 7711-2 for PAO-PSO
• Are you using a FCC-approved for aviation use detection system capable of detecting non-cooperative (not transmitting ADS-B Out) aircraft? Typically, only approximately 13% of all departments make this investment If not, the -200 foot shielded ops waiver is for you.

If not using an FCC-approved for aviation use detection system:

• Download the PAO-PSO BVLOS 200-foot Waiver Checklist

If using an FCC-approved for aviation use detection system:

• Download the PAO-PSO BVLOS DAA Waiver Checklist
• To describe your DAA system and its components, capabilities, and limitations, download the CMD-DAA worksheet

Submit these forms and supporting information to 9-avs-afs-750-91.113waivers@faa.gov

Here are some other documents to help public safety 

• Download our Drones in Public Safety: A Guide to Starting Operations (PDF)
• State and Local Regulation of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (PDF)
• Letter to COA Holders – Statutory Requirement to Register UAS (November 5, 2014) (PDF)
• Checklist for Public Safety Use of Actively Tethered UAS (49 USC 44807) (PDF)
• Drone Response Playbook for Public Safety (PDF)

Webinar: Drone Safety: It's the Law

The use of drones in our nation's airspace is rapidly increasing, which raises both opportunities and challenges for public safety and government officials. Learn more about how your authority allows you to take action and respond to unauthorized or unsafe drone operations. Watch the webinar.

Advisory Circular (AC) 00-1.1

Government or government-contracted aircraft operations must obtain COA from the FAA prior to operations.
Advisory Circular 00-1.1, Public Aircraft Operations

Small UAS Rule Part 107

This rule contains safety regulations for drones weighing less than 55 pounds.
Summary of the Part 107 Rule (PDF)
Fly under the Small UAS Rule
Advisory Circular 107-2 (PDF)

The Exception for Recreational Flyers

People who fly their drone, UAS, or model aircraft for fun are considered recreational flyers.
Recreational Flyers & Modeler Community-Based Organizations
Authorization for limited recreational operations as described in section 44809 (PDF)
Advisory Circular 91-57B – Exception for Limited Recreational Operations of Unmanned Aircraft

Mobile Apps

The FAA's B4UFly App assists users in determining where they can and can't fly. Law enforcement and public safety agencies can use it to determine where they can operate drones or whether drone operations are authorized in a specific location or not.

Drone Response Playbook for Public Safety

Drones are being safely integrated into our national airspace for recreational, commercial, and public safety uses. However, unauthorized operations can cause potential hazards to people and property both in the air and on the ground. Our Drone Response Playbook for Public Safety is intended to be used as an informational resource for public safety officials conducting investigations regarding drones. The Playbook can assist in determining the difference between authorized and non-authorized drone operations and what potential actions public safety might take.

• Drone Response Playbook for Public Safety (PDF)