Part I Order - 2019-005 
1.13.3 Use of Remotely Piloted Aerial System (RPAS) 
(Effective:  2019.09.26) 
POLICY 
The Vancouver Police Department (VPD) supports the use of a Remotely Piloted Aerial System (RPAS) 
as a platform to gather digital imagery in an effort to support public safety, enhance investigative 
techniques, expand operational awareness and aid in critical incident resolution. 
The Chief Constable, his/her delegate and/or a qualified VPD RPAS Pilot may authorize the 
deployment of a RPAS for specific purposes including but not limited to: 
•
Mass casualty events;
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Disaster response and recovery;
•
Search & Rescue;
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Lost and/or missing persons;
•
Mass event situational awareness aid;
•
Investigative scene aid (mapping, modeling and documentation);
•
Investigation of a hazardous material release or suspected energetic object;
•
Critical incident and life preservation flights including but not limited to barricaded
suspects, hostage situations, active deadly threat scenarios, high risk search warrants, and
suicidal persons;
•
Pursuant to judicial authorization;
•
Flight testing, training and demonstrations;
•
Public Affairs awareness and education applications;
•
Training applications; and
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Mutual agency aid provided the scope of the mission falls within the VPD’s RPAS regulations. 
The VPD RPAS program shall be administered by the Emergency Response Section and all operations 
shall be carried out by VPD members in accordance with regulations established by Transport 
Canada and Navigation Canada.  
Flight missions may be recorded and all recorded digital flight imagery that is of evidentiary or 
training value shall be handled and stored in accordance with the Regulations and Procedures 
Manual Section 1.9.17 – Video Evidence and the Forensic Video Unit’s Standard Operating 
Procedures. Imagery and/or data that is of no evidentiary or training value shall be retained for a 
period of 30 days and then purged in accordance with the VPD Forensic Video Unit’s policy.  
Electronic and/or manual flight logs will be kept in accordance with the VPD RPAS Operation 
Manual. 
Information pertinent to conducting an RPAS investigation may be found in the Regulations and 
Procedures Manual Section 1.6.52 – Drones & Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). 
DEFINITIONS 

Aeronautics Act R.S. 1985, c. A-2: the legislation that governs civil aviation in Canada (authority 
for establishment of the Canadian Air Regulations (CARs)). 
Aerodrome: a location from which aircraft flight operations take place. 
Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs): the rules that govern civil aviation in Canada. 
Canadian Domestic Airspace: includes all airspace over the Canadian land mass, the Canadian Artic 
and Archipelago and certain areas over the high seas (CARs 101.01(1)). 
Collection: collection of personal information occurs when an individual’s image or voice is 
captured by a surveillance system. The personal information may be played back, displayed, saved 
or stored, or disclosed to other public bodies or organizations. 
Command and Control Link (C2): the data link between the RPAS and the control station for the 
purpose of managing flight. 
Crew Member: a person assigned to duties essential to the operation of the unmanned aerial 
vehicle during flight time. 
Flight Review: Transport Canada sanctioned practical exam designed to assess a pilot’s ability to 
operate an RPAS in a safe manner. 
Handover: the act of passing pilot-in-command responsibilities from one control station or pilot to 
another. 
Lost Link: the loss of command and control link contact with the RPAS such that the pilot-in-
command can no longer manage the aircraft’s flight. 
Model Aircraft: an aircraft, the total weight of which does not exceed 35kg that is mechanically 
driven or launched into flight for recreational purposes and that is not designated to carry persons 
or other living creatures (CARs 101.01(1)). 
NAV Canada: the company that owns and operates Canada’s civil air navigation services. 
Notice to Airmen (NOTAM): a notice filed with an aviation authority to alert aircraft pilots of 
potential hazards along a flight route or at a location that could affect the safety of the flight. 
Operations Manager: is responsible for RPAS operations, as required and identified, within the 
SFOC. 
Payload: in the case of an RPAS, means a system, an object or collection of objects onboard or 
otherwise connected to the RPAS that performs, or is related to, a mission function but is not 
required for flight. 
Payload Operator: a crew member responsible for the operation of any payload carried by the RPAS 
while in flight. 
Personal Information: recorded information about an identifiable individual, other than contact 
information. Video and audio recordings of an individual’s image and voice are considered 
identifiable information. 

Photogrammetry: the science of making measurements from photographs and establishing exact 
positions of surface points. 
Remotely Piloted Aerial System (RPAS): a power-driven aircraft where the aircraft and its 
components are operated without an on-board flight crew. It is also commonly referred to as a 
drone, Small Unmanned Aircraft (SUA), Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and Unmanned Aerial System 
(UAS). The Vancouver Police Department operates several different systems that are capable of 
carrying both still and video cameras, infrared cameras or thermal imagery. When in operation, the 
RPAS is flown by a pilot remotely, while a payload operator is responsible to capture any images 
and/or video. 
RPAS Pilot Certificate (Advanced Category): qualification certificate that allows the holder of the 
certificate to: 
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Fly an RPAS in a controlled airspace;
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Fly an RPAS over bystanders;
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Fly within 30 meters of bystanders; provided that,
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The RPAS has been registered with Transport Canada;
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The RPAS has been marked with a visible identification indicator; and
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The RPAS pilot has passed the Small Advanced RPAS Exam and the RPAS Flight Review.
RPAS (Remotely Piloted Aerial System): an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) or uncrewed aerial 
vehicle commonly known as a drone is an aircraft without an on board human pilot and a type of 
unmanned vehicle. The system includes, but is not limited to, a UAV, a ground based controller and 
a system of communications between the two. The flight of UAVs may operate with various degrees 
of autonomy; either under remote control by a human operator or autonomously by onboard 
computers. 
RPAS Program Coordinator: responsible for all administrative functions of the RPAS program and 
identified within the SFOC application. 
RPAS Operator: in respect of an aircraft, means the person that has possession of the aircraft or 
RPAS, as owner, lessee or otherwise. 
RPAS Pilot: the crew member in charge of the RPAS during flight operation who has met the 
required qualification standards for the system being operated. 
Scene Security Officer: a VPD member, designated by the pilot in command, responsible for 
operational scene security including any unexpected safety concerns during the span of flight 
operations including pre and post flight procedures. 
Sense and Avoid: the capability to see, sense or direct conflicting traffic or other hazards and take 
the appropriate action. 
Small Advanced Exam: online exam administered by Transport Canada designed to test the 
knowledge requirements for RPAS pilots. 
Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC): legislative authority to conduct RPAS operations 
within Canadian Domestic Airspace (Section 602.41 CARs). 

Unmanned Aerial System: an unmanned aerial vehicle and its associated elements which are 
operated with no pilot on-board. 
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle: a power driven craft that is operated without a flight crew member on 
board. 
RPAS/UAS Base: a VPD unit where an approved UAS/RPAS is deployed. 
Vancouver Area Control Center: is responsible for the provision of control services via radar, 
multiateration (MLAT), and satellite for IFR operations, largely during the enroute phase of flight 
and for positive control of high density aviation traffic areas, such as in the vicinity of major 
airports served by commercial carriers. 
Vancouver Flight Information Region: covers airspace mainly above the central and southern part 
of British Columbia. 
Visual Line-of-Sight: unaided (corrective lenses and/or sunglasses are exempt)visual contact with 
the aircraft sufficient enough to be able to maintain operational control of the aircraft, known 
location, and be able to scan the airspace in which it is operating to decisively see and avoid other 
air traffic or objects. 
Visual Observer: a crew member who assists the pilot with sense and avoid duties. 
PROCEDURE 
Type and Purpose of Operation 
Subject to restrictions, RPAS operations shall be conducted for the following purposes: 
1. To obtain digital aerial images and/or video in support of public safety, operational
awareness, critical incident resolution and/or to aid in investigative techniques (e.g. crime
scene mapping, modeling and documentation).
2. Flight testing, maintenance flights, flight training and demonstration flights. 
3. All flight operations shall be conducted as part of a police operation with appropriate,
situationally dependent security provisions in place to minimize risks to the public and
others involved in the operation.
Restrictions 
4. Members shall not:
a. use any personally owned or otherwise acquired RPAS for the purpose of any police
investigation or operation;
b. alter the RPAS and /or its system in any manner;
c. use the RPAS for any personal or unapproved purpose;
d. operate an RPAS in flight except in accordance with a SFOC, or an air operator
certificate (Section 602.41 of the CARs); and
e. use the RPAS to obtain or record any aerial images or video that are not for the
purpose of supporting a police investigation, training, demonstration, public
affairs, maintenance flights or flights that could otherwise be deemed to be
unprofessional.
5. Flights will not be conducted for surveillance purposes, however may be used in exigent
circumstances where there is an imminent risk to life or safety that can be alleviated by

using an RPAS and/or where prior judicial authorization is so authorized. Permission must 
be obtained from the Duty Officer or designate in such circumstances. 
6. Flights will not be conducted for the purpose of recording and/or identifying members of
the public involved in peaceful protests or demonstrations.
7. At no time shall an RPAS and a piloted aircraft operate in the same airspace at the same
time. In such circumstances, the RPAS shall land immediately to avoid a collision. 
Flight Parameters 
RPAS flight parameters will include but are not limited to: 
8. All flights will be conducted by trained VPD members on behalf of the VPD or another public 
safety service.
9. Flight locations shall take place within the Vancouver Flight Information Region unless 
approved by the Duty Officer or designate.
10. The Duty Officer or designate shall be notified prior to and at the conclusion of all flight 
operations.
11. The E-Comm Central Dispatcher, Team Manager or District Dispatcher shall be notified prior 
to any RPAS deployment and provided information related to the intended flight location and 
duration.
12. The E-Comm Central Dispatcher, Team Manager or District Dispatcher shall be notified at the 
conclusion of a flight mission.
13. In accordance with Transport Canada, the managing director or designate of any 
aerodrome within the prescribed flight path of a VPD RPAS shall be notified prior to and at 
the conclusion of the flight. Aerodrome contact information includes:
a. Vancouver International Airport
i.
Planning: XXX-XXX-XXXX
ii.
Operations: XXX-XXX-XXXX (Request Emergency Supervisor)
b. Vancouver Harbour Tower
i.
Planning: XXX-XXX-XXXX
ii.
Operations: XXX-XXX-XXXX (Request Emergency Supervisor)
Flight Operations 
14. RPAS flights shall be conducted by an RPAS Pilot and a Visual Observer.
15. Every RPAS flight shall be documented via:
a. post flight collection and storage of electronic and manual logs;
b. inspection and maintenance logs; and where required,
c. a RPAS Pilot and/or Observer shall document their involvement in an investigation
as required by Regulations and Procedures Manual Section -1.16.1 General
Occurrence Reports.
d. Where practicable, all requests for RPAS services shall be communicated to and
approved by the RPAS Coordinator or designate prior to deployment.
e. Where it is not practicable for the RPAS Coordinator to pre-approve an RPAS flight,
the Inspector or designate i/c of ERS and the RPAS Coordinator will be notified via
email and/or voice mail of the RPAS mission.
Duty Officer 
16. The Duty Officer Shall:
a. be notified prior to and at the conclusion of all RPAS flights; and