2346840.1 14537.007
Item No. 6
Town of Atherton
CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT – PUBLIC HEARING
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
GEORGE RODERICKS, CITY MANAGER
FROM: STEVE MCCULLEY, CHIEF OF POLICE
DATE: APRIL 15, 2026
SUBJECT: ANNUAL REPORT REGARDING USE OF MILITARY EQUIPMENT PURSUANT TO AB 481
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council accept the AB 481 Annual Report, take public comment, and direct staff to post the report pursuant to Government Code 7072.
BACKGROUND:
In January and June of 2022, the Council was informed of Assembly Bill 481 (AB 481), codified in Government Code §§ 7070, 7071, and 7072, which prescribes certain procedures for law enforcement agencies regarding the funding, acquisition, and use of military equipment, as defined. Among the required procedures, a law enforcement agency that receives approval for a military equipment use policy is required to submit to the governing body an annual military equipment report for each type of military equipment approved by the governing body within one year of approval, and annually thereafter for as long as the military equipment is available for use.
With the Council's approval, this report will be made available to the public on the Town's website.
ANALYSIS
AB 481 Definition of Military Equipment:
AB 481 has designated certain types of law enforcement equipment as "military equipment." The Atherton Police Department has equipment that meets the criteria, including:
• 40MM tactical single-shot launcher, quantity - 3
• 40MM kinetic energy projectiles, quantity – 21
• 40MM CS kinetic energy projectile, quantity – 10
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• Nighthawk Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Autonomous Drone - 2 Use of Equipment:
To limit the escalation of conflict where deployment of lethal force is prohibited or undesirable.
Situations for use may include, but are not limited to:
i. Self-destructive, dangerous, and/or combative individuals ii. Barricaded suspects
iii. Riot/crowd control and civil unrest incidents
iv. Training exercises
Related Complaints or Concerns Received in 2025:
None
Audits; Violations of Use Policy; Action Taken:
In 2025, the 40MM launchers and munitions were not used during a use-of-force incident; as a result, there were no policy violations.
In 2025, there were 296 drone flights. All flights are in accordance with policy for training or for calls for service.
Equipment Training:
For 2025, all required equipment training was completed by assigned personnel.
Annual Cost of Equipment:
Annual costs can range from $5,000 to $20,000, depending on use and acquisition.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact for approval of the AB 481 Annual Staff Report.
GOAL ALIGNMENT
This Report and its contents are in alignment with the following Council Policy Goal:
• Goal E – Strengthen Community Engagement and Transparency
PUBLIC NOTICE
Public notification was achieved by posting the agenda, including this agenda item, at least 72 hours before the meeting in print and electronically. Information about this item is also disseminated via the Town’s electronic News Flash and Atherton Online. There are approximately 2346840.1 14537.007
1,200 subscribers to the Town’s electronic News Flash publications. Subscribers include residents and stakeholders, including, but not limited to, media outlets, school districts, the Menlo Park Fire District, service providers (water, power, and sewer), and regional elected officials.
COMMISSION/COMMITTEE FEEDBACK/REFERRAL
This item ____ has or __X__ has not been before a Town Committee or Commission. ____ Audit/Finance Committee (meets every other month)
____ Bicycle/Pedestrian Committee (meets as needed)
____ Environmental Programs Committee (meets every other month) ____ Park and Recreation Committee (meets each month)
____ Planning Commission (meets each month)
____ Rail Committee (meets every other month)
____ Transportation Committee (meets every other month)
ATTACHMENTS
None