Indiana Lawmakers Vote To Expand Police Use Of Drones

Hoosier law enforcement's ability to use unmanned aerial vehicles may be increasing - for better or worse.

Photo by Don McCullough, Flickr.

(Indianapolis, Ind.) - A bill would expand the ability for Indiana police to use aerial drones to collect evidence, in some cases without a warrant.

House Bill 1358 would allow law enforcement to fly unmanned aerial vehicles over “public events”, emergency scenes, or property where there is no reasonable expectation of privacy. Video taken by a drone could be used as evidence in a criminal case.

The bill was amended in the Senate Corrections and Criminal Law Committee to require a search warrant if a drone is used in a search over private property. A warrant would not be needed if the property consents to a search or a warrant would not be required.

The Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council supports the bill. However, Indiana Public Defender Council has concerns about privacy and that lawmakers may look to further expand law enforcement use of drones in the future.

HB 1358 passed the full Senate on Monday with a 46-1 vote. It had passed the House on an 81-14 vote in February. The bill will now go to a conference committee so differences between the Senate and House versions can be reconciled.