CLEVELAND (WJW) – The FOX 8 I-Team has learned the Cleveland Police Department's new drone deployment has been delayed again, but the plan is already years behind schedule.
The drones have finally been delivered to Cleveland Police, but they won't be used to fight crime for a while — probably not until next year.
The I-Team recently uncovered long delays in acquiring drones for use by Cleveland Police: The City Council approved the budget two years ago, but as of last month, the police department still did not own one.
Now, the chief has told city council that the drone shipment has arrived, but the equipment won't be used until the Cleveland Police Commission approves a policy for its use.
“We will begin discussions with the CPC (Cleveland Police Commission), that will be the first step to see if they approve moving forward and then the draft policy will be implemented. It will be a very long time to move forward, we don't expect it to happen this year,” Chief Dorothy Todd told council's public safety committee.
Again, the chief says not to expect drones until next year.
Meanwhile, Parma Police have been using drones since 2017. Westlake Police have 15 drones, and many other local, county and federal law enforcement agencies have been using drones for a long time.
