Wyoming Considers Restricting Police Use of Drones

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming lawmakers are considering a bill to ban law enforcement use of drones without a warrant.

Members of the Wyoming Legislature's Joint Judiciary Committee are set to hear a draft bill this week in Laramie. If it's approved, the full Legislature could consider the measure early next year.

Linda Burt is executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union in Wyoming. Burt says it's important for the state to set limits on the use of drones before they become more prevalent in law enforcement.

Byron Oedekoven is executive director of the Wyoming Association of Sheriffs and Chiefs of Police. He says the courts have ruled that police can act on information they can see from an airplane and says his group believes rules for drones should be no more restrictive.