BRIAN R. MARVEL
PORAC President
Ahead of the Curve: Why We Can’t Afford to Wait on Drones and AI
As we move from winter to spring, this season of renewal is a reminder of the strength, resilience and purpose that define those who serve their communities every day. In that spirit, I want to wish you a happy Easter.
Drones on the Front Lines
In the rapidly evolving landscape of public safety, few technologies have advanced as dramatically as unmanned aerial systems (UAS), more commonly known as drones. Law enforcement agencies nationwide are increasingly integrating these tools to enhance response capabilities, situational awareness and officer safety. A prime example is the Drone as First Responder (DFR) program, which has gained traction in departments ranging from Chula Vista, California — one of the earliest adopters, with an article on its program on page 18 — to agencies like the Fremont Police Department, Scottsdale Police Department and Arlington Police Department. In these programs, drones are prepositioned and deployed immediately to emergency calls, arriving on scene in seconds to provide real-time aerial intelligence before ground officers arrive. This enables better-informed decision-making, creates opportunities for de-escalation, helps locate missing persons and can even clear low-risk calls without dispatching personnel, ultimately saving resources and reducing risks to officers and the public.
The DFR model, supported by advancements in beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) operations and FAA waivers, represents a game changer in policing efficiency.
However, as these systems roll out, it is imperative that their implementation becomes a meet-and-confer issue with labor representatives. UAS deployment directly impacts working conditions, response protocols, training requirements and future positions, particularly in specialized units such as air support or air wing divisions. Officers in these divisions may see shifts in roles, from traditional piloted aircraft to overseeing or integrating drone operations. I am not opposed to this technology; in fact, I believe law enforcement is behind the curve in adopting it, along with artificial intelligence (AI).
Anyone following the conflict in Ukraine can see the transformative power of drones. Ukrainian forces have devastated Russian positions through an incredibly effective drone program, with news reports indicating that in 2025 alone, drones accounted for over 80% of enemy targets destroyed — nearly 820,000 strikes — including massive casualties inflicted on personnel and equipment. Innovations in long-range strikes, FPV interceptors and scaled production have allowed Ukraine to counter superior numbers with precision and adaptability. This battlefield reality underscores a stark lesson: nations and agencies that lag in adopting and mastering drone technology risk being outmaneuvered in crises. Law enforcement cannot afford similar delays when addressing domestic threats.
Drones also pose serious public safety risks, especially at mass events. Unauthorized UAS could disrupt or endanger large gatherings like the Super Bowl, 2026 FIFA World Cup matches scheduled across U.S. venues, the 2028 Olympics in L.A. or other high-profile occasions. Security officials have flagged rogue drones as a top emerging threat, with potential for malicious use such as surveillance, payload delivery or interference. Federal and local agencies are investing in counter-drone measures, including detection, jamming and interception, but proactive integration of law enforcement drones is essential for mitigation. We must collaborate closely with the federal government to ensure agencies have access to these tools — through grants, regulatory support and shared best practices — to safeguard communities effectively.
PORAC has been at the forefront in California and nationally, advocating for balanced, responsible adoption of UAS while prioritizing officer input through meet-and-confer processes. This should be an absolute priority for your union. Make meet-and-confer the very top of the list when your agency moves to adopt this emerging technology. It ensures the technology empowers rather than displaces personnel, safeguards working conditions, preserves specialized roles in air wing divisions and keeps the human element central to effective policing.
AI: Support It, but Guard Against It
Shifting to another frontier, AI is advancing even more swiftly in law enforcement applications, from predictive analytics and automated report generation (like Axon’s Draft One) to 9-1-1 call triage and facial recognition alternatives, including data-driven tools that proactively monitor officer behavior and performance. AI systems are now self-refining, with machine learning models improving outputs through iterative training on vast datasets, leading to greater accuracy and efficiency over time. In essence, these advancements enable AI to evolve and scale its capabilities at an accelerating pace.
I am not anti-AI. Quite the opposite: PORAC supports the thoughtful integration of these tools to enhance public safety, operational efficiency and officer well-being. However, technology’s rapid evolution demands strong guardrails. Without them, risks include privacy invasions, erosion of due process and algorithmic bias. Crucially, AI implementation must be a meet-and-confer issue. This technology profoundly affects working conditions, job security and disciplinary processes, especially as vendors deploy AI for employee monitoring — flagging behaviors for discipline or even termination based on automated analysis of body-worn camera footage, communications or performance metrics.
AI should never serve as the sole arbiter of an officer’s value or worth to an organization. Human oversight is non-negotiable. Decisions involving discipline, promotions or terminations require review by trained personnel who understand context, nuance and fairness. Comprehensive policies must include mandatory audits for transparent data handling, rigorous training and accountability measures to protect both community trust and labor rights.
PORAC is leading the charge here as well. Our research briefs highlight AI’s benefits alongside risks from privacy and labor perspectives, advocating for clear policies that prioritize officer and community safety. (View the brief at PORAC.org/research/AI-in-law-enforcement-brief.) We’ve engaged with vendors, hosted presentations (including on tools like Draft One) and developed a model policy for meet-and-confer sessions. Nationally and in California, PORAC pushes for strategic integration that supports, not supplants, officers, ensuring emerging technologies evolve with input from those who use them.
As we move forward, PORAC remains committed to these principles: embrace innovation collaboratively, insist on robust safeguards and actively ensure the voices of peace officers are heard through the meet-and-confer process. By doing so, we can harness drones and AI to build safer communities while protecting the rights and dignity of those who serve.