Tucson, AZ Police Department Drone Documents

Good Morning Mr. Epstein,

Your request for information was forwarded to our Chief of Staff -
Captain Wilson, who then contact, our Specialized Response Division
Commander, Captain McCarthy. Here is Captain McCarthy's email
response:

Lynn Jung
Records Superintendent
Tucson Police Department
270 S. Stone Avenue
Tucson, Az 85701
(520) 837-7618

>>> Quinn McCarthy 8/23/2012 4:16 PM >>>
I checked with Air Support and was told they attended a user group
conference a while back (Wes Dison was still here) but there was never
any documentation generated about actually using or purchasing one. I do
not believe we have any of the information requested at this time
although we are in the process of setting up a demonstration.

So Mr. Epstein, TPD does not use drones. Please advise if you have
any further questions. Thank you.

>>> <requests@muckrock.com> 8/14/2012 6:43 PM >>>

August 14, 2012
Tucson Police Department
270 S. Stone Ave.
Tucson, AZ 85701

This is a follow up to a previous request:

To Whom It May Concern:

I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request,
copied below, and originally submitted on July 12, 2012. Please let me
know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further
clarification is needed.

Thank you for your help.

---

On July 12, 2012:

To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the state open records law, Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. Secs.
39-121 to 39-122 and 39-128, I hereby request the following records:

1. any requests for proposals, proposals submitted by vendors,
contracts, budgets or cost allocations for the purchase and/or use of
aerial drones, UAs, UAVs, and UASs (hereinafter “drones”);

2. any policies, guidelines, manuals and/or instructions on department
use of drones, including on the legal process required (such as a
warrant or court order), if any, before operating a drone;

3. any departmental records concerning this department’s use of
drones now or plans to use drones in the future including:

a. the types of investigations or instances in which this department is
using or plans to use drones, or how it plans to support, manage or
oversee the usage of drones by another department or office;

b. policies, guidelines, manuals and/or instructions on storage
requirements or procedures for video or static images obtained through
use of drones, including retention times;

c. the altitude at which drones can or do fly;

d. drones’ ability to carry weapons.

I also request that, if appropriate, fees be waived as I believe this
request is in the public interest. The requested documents will be made
available to the general public free of charge as part of the public
information service at MuckRock.com, processed by a representative of
the news media/press and is made in the process of news gathering and
not for commercial usage.

In the event that fees cannot be waived, I would be grateful if you
would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my
request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail
attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I
would request your response within ten (10) business days.

Sincerely,

Greg Epstein

Filed via MuckRock.com
E-mail (Preferred): requests@muckrock.com

For mailed responses, please address (see note):
MuckRock News
DEPT MR 1484
PO Box 55819
Boston, MA 02205-5819

PLEASE NOTE the new address as well as the fact that improperly
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requests might be returned by the USPS as undeliverable.