Agenda Item No: K.2
AGENDA REPORT
DATE: May 6, 2025
TO: Mayor and Council
FROM: David Gassaway, City Manager
SUBJECT: Resolution 2025-62 PD Authorization to Purchase and Use Military Equipment
Authorizing the City Manager to Execute and Approve the Purchase and Use of Military Equipment in Accordance with Ordinance 2022-06
Funding Source: $183,509.58 - $280,603.10; General Fund (Price difference accounts for Skydio X-10 purchase and vendor rebate)
Contact: Matt Thomas, (707) 399-5634
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Adopt resolution.
STATEMENT OF ISSUE
Government Code sections 7070 through 7075 require:
Annual renewal of any ordinance authorizing the acquisition, funding, or use of military equipment
Governing body review of the Fairfield Police Department’s (FPD) Annual Military Equipment Report
A law enforcement agency (LEA) to obtain approval from the applicable governing body prior to the funding, acquisition, or use of “Military Equipment, ” as defined by Government Code section 7070
DISCUSSION
Government Code section 7071 requires a law enforcement agency to obtain approval from the applicable governing body via the adoption of a "military equipment" use policy by ordinance, prior to the LEA funding, acquiring, or using military equip ment. The ordinance, Chapter 31 of the City of Fairfield Municipal Code; Police Department – Funding, Acquisition, and Use of Military Equipment, was approved by the City Council on April 19, 2022. Renewal of the ordinance is required annually under section 31.1.3.
The council is also required to review and adopt the attached Annual Military Equipment Report and conduct a public hearing prior to adoption of the attached resolution. The report was published on the Police Department website on March 3, 2025. The department hosted a well - publicized public meeting regarding the annual report on March 25, 2025, providing an opportunity for public feedback and questions. The meeting was advertised via department social media on March 3, 2025, and by publication in a newspaper of general circulation for two consecutive weeks. The military equipment policy has been posted on the department’s website since March 2022. The Police Department seeks council review and approval of the 2024 Annual Military Equipment Report and Military Equipment Use Policy number 711.
Lastly, the Police Department requests the council’s authorization to continue to use the vital equipment specified in Government Code section 7070, to continue to restock inventories based on use, and to acquire new equipment. Items designated as "military equipment" by Government Code section 7070 are used as a component of overall best practices for LEAs throughout the country. These tools have been tested in the field and are used by LEAs to enhance citizen and officer safety. The loss of these items would jeopardize the welfare of citizens and peace officers within the department.
The term "military equipment," as used in Government Code section 7070, in fact, does not necessarily indicate that the equipment is equipment the military uses or has used. No items possessed by the Police Department were acquired from the military or through the 1033 program. Pursuant to Government Code section 7070, items deemed to be "military equipment" include, but are not limited to, unmanned aerial or ground vehicles, armored vehicles, command and control vehicles, pepper balls, less lethal shotguns, less lethal 40mm projectile launchers, and flashbangs. The Police Department is committed to using the most up to date tools and equipment to safeguard the citizens of Fairfield.
Many items deemed to be "military equipment" by Government Code section 7070 are employed by the Police Department and LEAs across the country to specifically reduce risk to community members. These items provide police officers with the ability to safely resolve volatile situations that otherwise might rise to the level of a lethal force encounter. To that end, the items at issue in the Annual Military Equipment Report and the accompanying Military Eq uipment Use Policy provide the Police Department’s peace officers with tools that facilitate compliance with its use of force policy.
Due to advances in available products and technology, the Police Department is requesting additional specialized equipment that will increase officer and community safety through improved or updated equipment, deployment devices, and deployment techniques.
The Police Department’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team, Mobile Field Force (MFF), and Technical Support Team (TST) analyzed the effectiveness of the specialized equipment it uses and noted areas for equipment improvement.
The SWAT Team is a specialized unit within the Police Department that is trained and equipped to handle high -risk situations that go b eyond the capabilities of patrol teams. The primary purpose of the SWAT Team is to respond to incidents involving armed and dangerous individuals, hostage situations, barricaded suspects, high-risk arrests, and other incidents where specialized skills and equipment are needed. The SWAT Team operates under established protocols to minimize risk to civilians and ensure the safety of all involved in critical incidents.
The Mobile Field Force is tasked with responding to natural disasters, mass demonstrations, and riot/crowd control incidents locally and within the Office of Emergency Services (OES) Coastal Region area.
The Technical Support Team is another specialized unit within the department that is trained and equipped to provide unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in roles that support missing persons searches, disaster reconnaissance, perimeters for fleeing suspects, and observation and information gathering during critical or tactical incidents.
The Police Department is requesting to acquire, possess , and maintain the following equipment to ensure safety for the community and officers:
1. Royal Arms 12 Gauge Flash Bang Round (100)
2. Hornaday 70 Grain CX Barrier Penetrating Round (200)
3. Accuracy International AT .308 Winchester Sniper Rifle (6)
4. Combined Tactical Systems (CTS) Model 5230 CS Canister Grenade (100)
5. Combined Tactical Systems (CTS) Model 5230B CS Canister, Low Flame (200)
6. Defense Technology Han-Ball, CS Grenade #1092 (12)
7. Defense Technology Han-Ball, Saf-Smoke Grenade #1093 (12)
8. Defense Technology Continuous Discharge Canister, CS #1082 (12)
9. DJI Matrice M30, Drone (4)
10. DJI Avata 1, Drone, Compact, Indoor Capable (1)
11. DJI Avata 2, Drone, Compact, Indoor Capable (6)
12. Skydio X-10 Drone, With Dock, Color and Thermal, 5G LTE capable (5)
13. DJI Matrice 4T, Drone (10)
14. Existing Military Equipment Inventory
The Police Department is also requesting approval to add to and modify the maximum allowable inventories quantities of the equipment listed below, pursuant to Lexipol Policy 711 —Military Equipment. The Department may elect not to purchase the maximum allowable quantity based on budget and/or department need.
1. Royal Arms 12 Gauge Flash Bang Round (100)
These Flash Bang rounds are used for diversion, disorientation, and breaching. It is a less -lethal round producing 185 dB that can breach solid wood doors, light steel, glass and can be deployed into crawl spaces. The Police Department requests the authority to purchase up to 100 rounds at $550 per box, with a maximum cost of $550.
2. Hornaday 70 Grain CX Barrier Penetrating Round (200) These rounds improve the capabilities of the SWAT sniper team. The barrier penetrating round allows SWAT snipers to reach targets that are barricaded or concealed behind objects that are unreachable with standard issued ammunition. The Police Department requests authority to purchase up to 200 rounds at $227.10 per case.
3. Accuracy International AT .308 Winchester Sniper Rifle (6) This High-performance sniper rifle is currently utilized by the SWAT sniper team. The Department requests authority to purchase up to two additional rifles to maintain an inventory for repairs or substitutions. Two additional rifles are $5,600 each, with a maximum cost of $11,200.
4. Combined Tactical Systems (CTS) Model 5230 CS Canister Grenade (100) The SWAT Team uses Chlorobenzylidene Malononitrile (CS) gas during high-risk search warrants, barricaded suspect incidents, and hostage situations. Using CS gas is an industry standard within other surrounding agencies in Solano County and in the United State s. The purpose of CS gas is to minimize the risks to all parties through pain compliance, temporary discomfort, and/or incapacitation of potentially violent or dangerous subjects. The Police Department requests authority to purchase up to 100 CTS model 523 0 CS Gas Canisters at $41.14 per unit, with a maximum cost of $4,114.
5. Combined Tactical Systems (CTS) Model 5230B CS Canister, Low Flame (200) The SWAT Team uses Chlorobenzylidene Malononitrile (CS) gas during high-risk search warrants, barricaded suspect incidents, and hostage situations. Using CS gas is an industry standard within other surrounding agencies in Solano County and in the United States. The purpose of CS gas is to minimize the risks to all parties through pain compliance, temporary disco mfort, and/or incapacitation of potentially violent or dangerous subjects. The Police Department requests authority to purchase up to 200 CTS model 5320B CS Gas Canisters at $60.56 per unit, with a maximum cost of $12,112.
6. Defense Technology Han-Ball Grenade, CS #1092 (12)
The Mobile Field Force maintains an array of riot control grenades, canisters, and projectiles.
Flexibility is essential when working with large crowds. CS gas, hand -thrown or launched, allow officers to disperse violent crowds, maneuver under concealment, and deny areas to occupation in effort to protect people and property. The Police Department requests authority to purchase up to 12 Defense Technology model 1092 CS Gas Grenades at $53.44 per unit, with a maximum cost of $641.28.
7. Defense Technology Han-Ball Grenade, Saf-Smoke #1093 (12) Also used by the Mobile Field Force, are smoke producing products like the Saf -Smoke grenade.
The white smoke allows teams to move under concealment and the smoke can operate as a carrier for CS g as allowing the effects to last longer in a particular area. The Police Department requests authority to purchase up to 12 Defense Technology model 1093 Saf-Smoke Grenades at $52.44 per unit, with a maximum cost of $629.28.
8. Defense Technology Continuous Discharge Canister, CS #1082 (12) A similar product to the Combined Tactical CS canisters, these continuous discharge CS canisters allow for longer discharge in outdoor areas for up to 40 seconds. This product is ideal for moving larger crowds, denying areas, and concealing officer movements. The Police Department requests authority to purchase up to 12 Defense Technology model 1082 CS Gas Canister at $35.44 per unit, with a maximum cost of $425.28.
9. DJI Matrice M30, Drone (4)
The Police Department is in the process of establishing a Real Time Information Center (RTIC).
Part of the benefit of the RTIC will be the inclusion of drones to conduct Drone as First Responder (DFR) operations. DFR operations in an RTIC allow for rapid response from predesignat ed areas in the city, allowing officers to gain quick access to real -time information and video of calls for service, critical incidents, and emergencies. To assist with the DFR operations, the Police Department is requesting to purchase up to four DJI M30 UAVs at a cost of $15,225.62 each, with a maximum cost of $60, 902.48. The Police Department intends to purchase these drones if the Skydio X-10 drones are not acquired.
10. DJI Avata 1, Drone, Compact, Indoor Capable (1)
This drone is lightweight and compact and ruggedized in comparison to the Avata 2. The TST will deploy this drone in confined spaces to support SWAT and emergency operations when the need arises to enter confined or indoor spaces. The Police Department requests authority to purchase one Avata 1 drone at $1,200 per unit.
11. DJI Avata 2, Drone, Compact, Indoor Capable (6)
Another lightweight and compact drone. An upgrade to the DJI Avata 1 as the Avata 2 allows for sustained time in a "perched" position, m eaning extended periods of viewing without overheating, a known problem with the Avata 1. The TST will deploy this drone in confined spaces to support SWAT and patrol -related emergency operations when the need arises to enter confined or indoor spaces. S ending small drones such as the Avata 1 or Avata 2 into interior locations before personnel or K-9 assets reduces the likelihood of injury. The Police Department requests authority to purchase six Avata 2 drones at $1,200 per unit, with a maximum cost of $7,200.
12. Skydio X-10 Drone, With Dock, Color and Thermal, 5G LTE capable (5) The Police Department is in the process of establishing a Real Time Information Center (RTIC).
Part of the benefit of the RTIC will be the inclusion of drones to conduct Drone as First Responder (DFR) operations. DFR operations in an RTIC allow for rapid response from predesignated (Docked) areas in the city, allowing officers to gain quick access to real -time information and video of calls for service, critical incidents, and emergencies. Part of the long-term goal with the RTIC and DFR is to provide real -time live video feeds through a secure browser link to Fire Department staff responding to reports of fires and injury collisions. Additionally, the RTIC information can be broadcast to city leadership during natural disasters.
To assist with the DFR operations, the Police Department requests authority to purchase up to five Skydio X-10 drones and their accompanying docks at approximately $50,000 per unit, for a maximum cost of $250,000. Specific funding sources and authorization are to be determined and approved at the time of purchase.
13. DJI Matrice 4T, Drone (10)
The Matrice 4T is the next generation of our primary patrol drones, allowing for improved Forward-Looking Infrared (thermal), extended flight times, and additional anti -collision technology. Patrol drones are deployed by trained pilots in the field on numerous calls for service, including searching for suspects and missing persons or collecting evidence. These drones also provide accurate time -sensitive information, such as an overwatch drone during SWAT operations, protests, and critical incidents. These drones would be equipped with loudspeakers that can be used to broadcast essential information, including providing evacuation warnings. Additionally, they would be fitted with spotlights to assist during the aforementioned searches. The Police Department is requesting authority to purchase up to ten Mavic 4T drones at $8,600 per unit, with a maximum cost of $86,000.
14. Existing Military Equipment Inventory
The Police Department requests ongoing authorization to replenish and maintain inventories of consumable items such as ammunition, flash bangs, less lethal munitions, and specialty munitions pursuant to the maximum quantities listed in the FPD policy 711, Military Equipment.
These costs will vary as they are determined by use and manufacturer pricing at the time of order.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Funds are budgeted for these purchases in the Police Depart ment’s General Fund, excluding Skydio Drone Package (Patrol -10150200; SWAT – 101050205; TST – 10150208; and Training – 10150405) and itemized to each category of military equipment usage. The total maximum cost is $183,509.58 - $280,603.10, plus tax and shipping to be determined at time of purchase based upon quantity ordered.
PUBLIC CONTACT/ADVISORY BODY RECOMMENDATION
N/A
ALTERNATIVE ACTION
The council may choose not to adopt the resolution, but then the City would be out of compliance with the Military Equipment Use policy required by law, depriving the Police Department of vital equipment necessary to protect the community.
COORDINATED WITH
City Attorney’s Office
STAFF CONTACT
Matt Thomas, Police Lieutenant
(707) 399-5634
[email protected]
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 1: Proposed Resolution
Attachment 2: FPD Military Equipment Policy 711
Attachment 3: FPD Annual Military Equipment Report