Federal Funds Now Available for Police Drone Purchases
by Jo Ellen Nott
A bipartisan provision tucked into the recently signed National Defense Authorization Act of 2025 has opened new federal funding streams for law enforcement agencies seeking to expand their drone programs, a development hailed by police advocates but met with skepticism by civil liberties groups.
The legislation, known as the Directing Resources for Officers Navigating Emergencies (“DRONE”) Act, was introduced by Representatives Lou Correa, a California Democrat, and Troy Nehls, a Texas Republican. It removes restrictions that had previously barred police departments from using two major federal grant programs – the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant and the Community Oriented Policing Services program – to purchase unmanned aircraft systems.
“Drones continue to play an ever-growing role in protecting our communities and responding to emergencies in a safer manner,” Correa said in a statement. The congressman framed the legislation as both a cost-saving measure and a public safety enhancement.
Not everyone shares that optimism. Bulmaro Vicente, policy director for CHISPA, a Latino advocacy organization in Orange County, characterized the measure as a potentially dangerous expansion of police surveillance. He warned that federal dollars flowing into drone programs could accelerate mass surveillance in low-income communities and communities of color, deepening mistrust between residents and law enforcement.
Correa has acknowledged that privacy concerns are legitimate and suggested they could be addressed through future legislation governing where drones may operate and how collected data may be used.
Under the terms of the DRONE Act, only drones from domestic manufacturers qualify for purchase, a stipulation tied to the American Drone Security Act. Officials note that American-made drones can cost two to three times more than foreign alternatives, making federal subsidies particularly appealing to cash-strapped departments.
The legislation received backing from several law enforcement organizations, including the Fraternal Order of Police, the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, and the Peace Officers Research Association of California.
As drones become increasingly embedded in policing, the tension between public safety and civil liberties will only increase. The legislative guardrails on surveillance and data use that proponents have long promised remain theoretical.
Source: San Gabriel Valley Tribune
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