DATE: August 20, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
FROM: Police Department
TITLE: ANNUAL MILITARY EQUIPMENT REPORT AND RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY’S MILITARY EQUIPMENT USE POLICY PER ASSEMBLY BILL 481
RECOMMENDATION
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Staff and the Police and Fire Commission recommend that the City Council adopt a resolution approving the Department’s annual Military Equipment Use Inventory list as required by Assembly Bill (AB) 481.
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BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS
On January 1, 2022, Assembly Bill 481 (Military Equipment Use Policy Bill) took effect, establishing requirements for the acquisition, funding, and use of equipment designated by the California State Assembly as “military equipment.” AB 481 mandates that local agencies, including police departments, develop a Military Equipment Use Policy and inventory, obtain approval from their governing body by ordinance or resolution following a public hearing, and conduct an annual review. The City adopted Ordinance Section 25.8 to Chapter 25 on May 18, 2022, in compliance with this law.
The annual review process requires examining the policy and equipment inventory, updating as necessary, and holding a public hearing for community input before the revised or reaffirmed policy is considered for approval. The inventory must describe each piece of designated equipment by reporting its quantity, expected lifespan, manufacturer’s description, authorized uses, fiscal impact (including purchase and maintenance costs), legal and procedural rules for use, required training, and compliance mechanisms. Additionally, AB 481 also requires disclosure of when and how the equipment was acquired, the funding source, and justification for its use.
The policy and inventory are to be publicly available on the Internet for 30 days prior to the City Council meeting, when this item is scheduled for a public hearing. Equipment on this list that the Department seeks to acquire after January 1, 2022, requires City Council approval before purchase.
The Police Department’s annual report (Attachment 2) shows no changes to the equipment inventory from the previous year, except for the replacement of the Mobile Command Vehicle with a smaller, more cost-effective model. No policy violations occurred during the last year, all equipment is accounted for, and no additional AB 481-eligible equipment is planned.
Within 30 days of submitting and publicly releasing the annual report, the law enforcement agency must hold a well-publicized and conveniently located community engagement meeting where the general public may discuss and ask questions regarding the report. This meeting was held on July 17, 2025.
Police Department staff developed a policy based on the legislative language and maintains compliance with Assembly Bill 481 and its intent. A document was created to inventory the designated equipment subject to the policy. The inventory is included in Attachment 2.
On May 12, 2025, the Military Equipment Policy and Inventory was published on the Police Department's web page.
Assembly Bill 481 includes an expansive list of equipment it designates as “military equipment,” much of which the Police Department does not possess or intend to acquire. The Police Department has listed the equipment currently used in the following categories: Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and Robots; Armored Personnel Carriers / Command and Control Vehicles; Explosive Breaching Apparatus / Breaching Munitions; Specialized Firearms / Ammunition Less Than .50 Caliber; Less Lethal Deployment Systems; Light Sound Distraction Devices / Less Lethal Munitions / Chemical Agents.
The Police Department has included language in the policy to replace expendable items classified as consumable ammunition or munitions without City Council approval. Moreover, when equipment breaks or is rendered unserviceable, the Department may replace that equipment with an equitable item for the same use and purpose before authorization of the City Council, provided this item replaces equipment and is not an increase to the existing inventory.
FISCAL IMPACT
None.
COMMISSION OR COMMITTEE REPORT
The Police and Fire Commission approved the military equipment list when they heard this item at their regularly scheduled meeting on July 17, 2025.
CITY ATTORNEY’S ANALYSIS
The City Attorney has reviewed the referenced documents and approved as to form.
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Prepared by: John McKean, Assistant Chief of Police
Reviewed by: Taurino Valdovinos, Chief of Police
Submitted by: Jonathan Borrego, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Staff Report
2. Resolution
3. Compliance Inventory List
4. Department Policy