Clayton Police Explore New Drone Program Through Homeland Security Grant Request

The Clayton City Council will receive a presentation this week on the Police Department’s plan to pursue state homeland security funding to launch an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) program, according to a staff report from City Clerk Leticia Miguel.  Under Assembly Bill 481, law enforcement agencies must secure City Council approval before acquiring or using equipment classified as “military equipment,” a definition that includes drones. Clayton adopted its Military Equipment Use Policy in 2022 and conducts annual public hearings on its use and acquisition.

The Police Department plans to request funding through the 2026 State Homeland Security Program (SHSP), part of a federal effort administered by the Department of Homeland Security and FEMA to help local agencies prepare for and respond to potential terrorist threats and other major emergencies. Clayton has successfully used the grant program in recent years, most recently obtaining an all-terrain vehicle and officer safety gear through the 2024 funding cycle. For 2026, the department is evaluating a grant request for both free-fly and tethered drones to support operations including security checks, area searches, crime-scene documentation, search and rescue, tactical deployments, fleeing suspect searches, and training. Key dates in the Homeland Security grant timeline include county-level review in early 2026, federal review in mid-to-late 2026, approval in March 2027, and a spending window through August 2029.

If the city advances the proposal, formal approval for acquiring drones and adopting a UAS-specific policy would occur during the Police Department’s annual AB 481 hearing in April 2026.