An article by Government Technology shares:
Starting Oct. 6, House Bill 251 will cover situations around search warrants, warrantless surveillance and flight documentation. In Cleveland, statutes already impose additional rules on police.
Ohio’s new police-drone law takes effect Oct. 6, but Cleveland already imposes additional rules: Police may not use drones to surveil individuals or groups at public demonstrations, the drones cannot use facial recognition or gait analysis, and information about every flight must be posted to a public map within 48 hours.
Beginning Oct. 6, House Bill 251 will establish statewide rules for law enforcement drone use. The law covers when agencies need search warrants, circumstances allowing warrantless surveillance and documentation of surveillance flights. Required flight and surveillance data are public records unless an existing exemption applies.
Cleveland’s current drone policy, effective since July 11, 2025, adds requirements of its own. Ohio law also permits municipalities to regulate drones they own and operate, leaving room for local rules governing Cleveland’s police fleet.
The comparison follows cleveland.com’s Sept. 9 report on police drone use across Northeast Ohio.
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Be sure to visit the BWU Technology Partnerships Initiative website to learn more about how our NEOFIX program drives economic growth, promotes policy and infrastructure to improve drone safety and efficiency in various industries, and ensures that drone technology is being used responsibly.