Counter Drone Program
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Description
The mandate of the Counter Drone Program is to provide operational support in critical airspace locations. This includes deployment in areas where the illicit use of drones poses a significant risk to national safety and security. It will also provide services in support of policing operations:
- Protective Operations – Very Important Persons / Internationally Protected Persons (VIP/IPP)
- Major events (government-led and public events)
- Support to police of jurisdiction (PoJ)
- Other public safety and national security interventions
Personal information collected by the Counter Drone Team (CDT) during operations is generally limited to the drone identification number, the location of the drone control unit and relevant details about the drone’s behaviour and actions. The RCMP CDT may share this information with RCMP’s Criminal Operations Unit (CrOps) or to the police of jurisdiction (PoJ) for police intervention and/or follow-up investigation into an incident.
Why a privacy impact assessment was completed
This privacy impact assessment was conducted by the RCMP in accordance with the Directive on Privacy Practices and outlines the activities of the CDT, including their handling of personal information. In addition, the use of drones and counter drone technology by law enforcement warrants additional transparency measures to foster public trust and inform the public of the RCMP’s mandate
Additional information
The RCMP’s Counter Drone Program will work towards improving its operations, mitigate risks to privacy of individuals and enhance compliance with privacy legislation and policies. This includes:
- Adopt an approved document management system to record reports and operations details
- Develop standard operating procedures to provide guidance to CDT personnel towards the performance of their duties and privacy obligations
- Update the RCMP Operations Manual - ch. 25.8. Counter Uncrewed Aerial Systems to include details on the CDT’s role
- Assure that onboarding of all RCMP CDT personnel includes security and privacy training
- Updating existing Personal Information Bank (PIB) and Classes of Records to reflect the CDT’s activities, if required
Related personal information banks
- RCMP PPU 055 - Protection of Personnel and Government Property
- This bank contains personal information on individuals who have been involved in investigations concerning threats, potential threats, or incidents against persons of national or international importance or involving government property.
- RCMP PPU 005 - Operational Case Records
- This bank contains personal information on individuals who have been involved in investigations under the Criminal Code, federal and provincial statutes, municipal bylaws and territorial ordinances.
For more information about this privacy impact assessment
Contact the RCMP Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP) - Privacy Management Division:
- atippolicy_politiqueaiprp@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.
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RCMP Access to Information and Privacy Branch
Privacy Management Division
73 Leikin Dr
Mail stop 61
Ottawa ON K1A 0R2
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