Cleveland police to start testing use of drones after long delay: I-Team

CLEVELAND (WJW) – The FOX 8 I-Team has found Cleveland police are now starting a program testing the use of drones to fight crime after delays that have gone on for years.

We’ve learned Cleveland police are now asking officers to take part in a test program using drones. This comes as city police face the question, “what’s taking so long?”

Months ago, the I-Team revealed Cleveland police are still not using drones even though the money had been approved to buy them years ago.

Then, after the city bought drones, the police chief and safety director said it could take a long time to develop a policy and use the equipment.

Now, we see the police department is looking for officers to operate drones in a test program.

Last week, city council members grilled safety leaders about what’s taking so long.

“We do have drones in our possession. We’re in the process of completing a draft policy. Once that’s complete, we’ll get drones up as a pilot,” said safety director Wayne Drummond.

Nonetheless, police have not yet announced a target date for the test program or full operations with the drones.

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