Public Safety UAS (Drone) Operation Manual – Free Example Policy
This UAS (Unmanned Aerial System) operation manual is intended to serve as an example and starting point for agencies developing their own drone policy or SOP (Standard Operating Procedure). Prepared by the MAXSUR team, this resource draws on experience selling over 3,700 complete drone systems and supporting the launch of hundreds of UAS programs ranging from small single-aircraft operations to complex multi-aircraft fleets. It incorporates lessons learned from real-world implementations, making it valuable to any public safety, law enforcement, or government agency beginning a drone program.
For convenience, the example manual uses a faux agency name that can easily be replaced with your own. Highlighted notes indicate areas requiring customization or removal if text is copied verbatim. This ensures that agencies can adapt the sample content into a tailored drone operations manual that fits their unique mission profile, organizational structure, and risk tolerance.
FAA COA and Legal Requirements
While this document is a strong starting framework, it does not include all granular SOPs required by the FAA to obtain a Certificate of Authorization (COA) for public safety drone operations. A COA requires agencies to outline procedures, equipment, training standards, and reporting structures. If your department is seeking official FAA authorization, please contact the MAXSUR team for example COA documents and guidance tailored to your agency’s needs. You can also explore our collection of public safety drones to build a program around proven, field-ready platforms.
Updates and Living Document Approach
This manual is considered a living document, with updates periodically published to reflect regulatory changes, best practices, and lessons learned from evolving public safety drone operations. To submit suggested additions or corrections, please contact the MAXSUR team at ops@maxsur.com or by phone at 314-270-2150. We also recommend that when agencies adopt this manual for official use, they create an internal feedback loop to continuously enhance the document over time.
Redistribution Policy
This sample policy is provided free of charge for U.S. law enforcement, government, public safety, and educational agencies. Any redistribution for commercial purposes or outside these groups is prohibited without written authorization from a MAXSUR executive or manager.
Download the Free UAS Operation Manual
Version: v170531jl
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Why Drone Policies Matter
Agencies nationwide are rapidly expanding their public safety drone programs. A well-structured policy ensures compliance with FAA rules, promotes consistent training, and helps safeguard both officers and the public. It also provides transparency to community stakeholders and ensures accountability in how aerial data is collected, stored, and used.
Whether your agency is deploying drones for search & rescue, crime scene documentation, disaster response, or tactical operations, a clear SOP is the foundation of a sustainable and defensible drone program. MAXSUR’s experience supporting agencies across the U.S. makes this example manual a practical tool to accelerate safe adoption.
For more information on drones, training, and FAA compliance, visit our full public safety drone collection.