Vigo County Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Program

Standard Operating Procedure

UAS Data, Image Storage, and Retention Policy

EFFECTIVE DATE: 4-1-26

Vigo County UAS Unmanned Aerial System Team Logo

1. PURPOSE

The purpose of this Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) is to define the requirements and processes for the proper collection, storage, retention, dissemination, and destruction of digital data and imagery produced by the Vigo County Sheriff’s Office Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Team.

2. SCOPE

This SOP applies to all UAS team members, pilots, visual observers, supervisors, and any authorized personnel accessing UAS-generated data.

3. POLICY

All UAS-generated digital data, imagery, metadata, and recordings shall be stored, secured, and retained in compliance with applicable laws, FAA regulations, CJIS security standards, and departmental policy. Unauthorized use or disclosure of UAS data is strictly prohibited.

4. DEFINITIONS

UAS Data: Digital imagery, video, flight telemetry, GPS coordinates, and mission metadata collected by a VCSO UAS.
Evidentiary Data: Data that relates to an investigation or criminal/civil case.
Operational Data: Training recordings, practice flights, calibration flights, and non-evidentiary mission footage.
Public Information Data: Data approved for public release, demonstrations, or community outreach.
Administrative Data: Flight logs, mission reports, maintenance documentation.