StoryPolice Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) ProgramSeptember 29, 2026

Minnetrista Police Department Advances Plans for Drone Program

The proposed Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) program aims to boost officer safety and emergency response, with officials emphasizing strict guidelines to address privacy concerns.

Published Oct 10, 2026

The Minnetrista Police Department is actively moving forward with plans to implement an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) program, commonly known as drones, to enhance both officer safety and emergency response capabilities. Officials recently outlined the strategic advantages of aerial technology, detailing how it could provide crucial support across a range of law enforcement operations within the community.

Our goal is to use this technology in defined circumstances where aerial perspective can improve officer safety and emergency response.

— Police Chief Craig Squires

Chief Squires elaborated on the program's potential applications, citing past local incidents where drones could have proven invaluable. These scenarios include searching for missing individuals, such as previous incidents on Lake Minnetonka and County Road 15, or assisting in suspect apprehension during chases, like one recalled in the Woodland Cove neighborhood. Drones could also offer a critical overhead view during hazardous events, such as chemical spills on major routes like Highway 7, and even support fire departments, potentially shared with neighboring Orono, in managing grass fires.

Addressing Privacy and Policy

Acknowledging widespread public and governmental discussions surrounding aerial surveillance, Minnetrista officials underscored their commitment to robust privacy protections and clear operational policies for the UAV program.

We recognize that aerial technology raises privacy and civil liberty concerns. So, any program will have clear rules governing when drones may be deployed and what information may be collected based on state statute and our policy.

— Police Chief Craig Squires

The department has been evaluating various drone manufacturers, including DJI products. Staff member Chad confirmed the department has been diligently monitoring potential federal bans on specific drone brands, but noted that such bans currently do not impact their ability to utilize these systems. "We're fully able to use them. The federal thing, it's like they can't fly over certain federal buildings or infrastructure things," Chad stated, adding that this does not apply to their operations and that law enforcement agencies throughout the state and nationally continue to use these drones. Test flights were previously conducted in Plymouth to assess capabilities.

But any flight plan that we anytime we fly it we have to have a flight plan and we have to have a purpose. So we can't just even if let's say we got this drone and and Chad and I were going to go out and just fly it for 20 minutes to train. We have to do a flight plan for that.

— Police Chief Craig Squires

This rigorous approach to flight planning ensures accountability and adherence to policy, even for routine training exercises. The overall sentiment from city officials regarding the program's potential has been positive.

This seems to be something that would help staff out and it would help some of us out as well.

— Lisa Whan

As the Minnetrista Police Department moves forward, the development of a comprehensive policy framework will continue to guide the responsible integration of this advanced technology, aiming to serve the community more effectively and safely.

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Votes (1)

Adjournment

Motion passes. All in favor signify with I.

Dissent: None

Moved by Kathleen Revkin [01:10:49] · Seconded by Peter Vicky [01:11:00]

Council concluded the work session. Two agenda items, the Cell Tower Lease Update and the Ashtree Replacement Policy, were moved to the subsequent regular City Council meeting due to time constraints.

Notable Quotes (15)

Our goal is to use this technology in a defined circumstances where aerial perspective can improve officer safety and emergency response.

— Police Chief Craig Squires [00:03:00]
Police Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Program Discussion

We recognize that aerial technology raises privacy and civil liberty concerns. So, any program will have clear rules governing when drones may be deployed and what information may be collected based on state statute and our policy.

— Police Chief Craig Squires [00:03:52]
Police Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Program Discussion

Uh yeah, we've been monitoring um whether or not there was going to be a ban with DJR products and u year after year continuously. It's there's no ban for it. We're um fully able to use them. The federal thing, it's like they can't fly over certain federal buildings or infrastructure things. Um but that doesn't apply to us and uh law enforcement throughout the state and around the country are all still using them.

— Chad [00:09:44]
Police Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Program Discussion

But any flight plan that we anytime we fly it we have to have a flight plan and we have to have a purpose. So we can't just even if let's say we got this drone and and Chad and I were going to go out and just fly it for 20 minutes to train. We have to do a flight plan for that.

— Police Chief Craig Squires [00:15:20]
Police Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Program Discussion

This seems to be something that would help staff out and it would help some of us out as well.

— Lisa Whan [00:17:15]
City Council Meeting Day Discussion

Uh I selfishly I've got uh sports commitments with my son pretty much Tuesdays year round um for sports. So it's so Tuesday is harder for me.

— Brian Gver [00:20:00]
City Council Meeting Day Discussion

I can't do Tuesdays. I have spent six years coordinating my family and my children's schedules around being here on Mondays... if it no longer works for you, then you need to decide if you can change your schedule or resign. Like, it's not fair that everyone else needs to change their schedule.

— Kathleen Revkin [00:20:55]
City Council Meeting Day Discussion

The one item that I want to make sure is clear that I I I would really like, um, I'm requesting information back so I can go back to the the two union groups that have contracts right now, uh, is the, uh, employer contribution to the the benefit package.

— City Administrator Jasper Krue [00:27:18]
Personnel Committee Budget Items: Compensation, Benefits & Comparables

I agree. I think we do need to um compensate Craig uh fairly and I think he's um this will bring him up to closer to the average. So, if we can all agree on that, I think um he does a great job.

— Lisa Whan [00:30:05]
Personnel Committee Budget Items: Compensation, Benefits & Comparables

The the reason behind pulling Victoria and probably Waconia is that they're in different counties. They have different laws. They have different tax codes. They have different requirements. Um and Victoria and Wakonia have substantially different makeup. They have way more businesses than we do. It it's not a similar community.

— Kathleen Revkin [00:31:00]
Personnel Committee Budget Items: Compensation, Benefits & Comparables

But I think for next year it would really be a good idea to do another compensation study not by us, not by staff, not by anybody that that has a skin in the game, by an other outside entity so we can get an impartial um how do you say view or or and then ask them to tell us which communities would be best to compare.

— Lisa Whan [00:37:25]
Personnel Committee Budget Items: Compensation, Benefits & Comparables

We realized that you know we would need to keep increasing this. We just felt that that going from the 1500 to 1900 was a pretty big jump. And uh uh but but still to your point, you know, we're still behind. So that u you know, how much can you do all at once is really the question.

— Peter Vicky [00:43:00]
Personnel Committee Budget Items: Compensation, Benefits & Comparables

The only thing caveat I would say is I would be against using chambers for it. I think it would be hard to divorce any nonch non city council use of chambers. Um, it would seem like it would would seem like the city is endorsing whatever is there if they use the chambers.

— Brian Gver [01:04:15]
Facility Use Policy

I think it's perfect venue to discuss city council candidates. I mean I can't think of a better way. don't have the space elsewhere first off uh to do that and secondly it is the chamber that these people are trying to go to and I attended the last one and it it was very nonpartisan it was just focusing on questions that um deal pertain to the city it was very informative.

— Peter Vicky [01:05:07]
Facility Use Policy

I don't care what anybody says if you spend 15 seconds online... their pla entire platform is left-leaning, they are funded literally by George Soros... I think this is a I don't want to say holy place, but it's definitely uh a place where seated elected officials sit. And I do not think either side should get to use this.

— Kathleen Revkin [01:07:05]
Facility Use Policy

Ordinances & Resolutions (8)

FAA Part 107Other

Federal Aviation Administration regulation for commercial and public safety drone operations, related to required training.

State StatuteOther

Legal requirement for public feedback on drone programs.

2026 Pay PlanPlan

Current compensation structure referenced for personnel discussions.

2027 Pay PlanPlan

Proposed compensation structure for the upcoming fiscal year.

2027 BudgetOther

Upcoming budget under consideration, incorporating personnel and benefit costs.

Comp and Class Study 2022Study

Compensation and classification study used to develop the current list of comparable cities.

Pay Plan PolicyPolicy

City policy guiding compensation, aiming for 90-110% of market rate.

Ordinance ChangeOrdinance

Required legal instrument to change the City Council meeting day.

Source document

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Other Topics from This Document

  • City Council Meeting Day Change

  • Personnel Committee Budget Items

  • St. Bonafacious Fire Partnership Update

  • Facility Use Policy

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