Latvian Police Granted Authority to Land or Neutralize Drones in Case of Potential Threat
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Loading... - Mesi Osama
- 28 Mar 2025
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On Thursday, the Latvian Parliament (Saeima) approved significant amendments to the law, empowering police to land or neutralize drones that pose a potential threat. This legislative change reflects growing concerns over public safety and the increasing use of drones in unauthorized or potentially harmful ways.
The amendments to the Law on Police grant law enforcement the authority to use special equipment to stop the movement of remotely operated devices—whether in the air, on water, or on land—if they are deemed a threat to public safety, individuals’ lives or health, the security of protected sites, or critical infrastructure. This authority will be exercised in situations where drones are being used illegally or when there are suspicions of criminal activity.
Previously, only border guards or military personnel had the right to land or shoot down drones in cases of potential threats. The new regulations expand this capability to police special forces, allowing them to respond swiftly to incidents involving drones suspected of being used for criminal purposes.
Until now, while the State Police had the technical capability to identify unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)—including tracking their flight routes, altitudes, and the locations of remote pilots—there were no legal grounds to capture, destroy, or forcibly land these drones, even when they posed risks to public safety or critical infrastructure. This gap in legislation has now been addressed, providing law enforcement with the necessary tools to act in the interest of public safety.
The urgency for these amendments was underscored by recent incidents involving unauthorized drone activity. On January 13, Latvia’s airspace experienced three instances of temporary restrictions due to drone activity near Riga International Airport. Multiple drones were involved in these incidents, and the Civil Aviation Agency (CAA) reported that defense systems failed to detect them because their identification functions had been disabled.
The CAA indicated that the drone flights might have been conducted deliberately to threaten civil aviation safety or disrupt the functioning of Latvia’s civil aviation sector. In response to these incidents, the CAA contacted both the State Police and the State Security Service, requesting a criminal investigation into the potential threats posed to civil aviation.
Following the incidents at Riga International Airport, the State Police confirmed that a criminal investigation has been launched into the unauthorized drone activity in the area. This investigation aims to determine the motives behind the drone flights and to hold accountable those responsible for any illegal actions that may have endangered public safety.
The amendments to the Law on Police represent a proactive approach by the Latvian government to address the challenges posed by the increasing use of drones. By granting police the authority to land or neutralize drones in cases of potential threats, Latvia aims to enhance public safety and protect critical infrastructure. As drone technology continues to evolve, these legal changes will be crucial in ensuring that law enforcement can effectively respond to emerging threats in the airspace.
