Agenda Item No: K.7
AGENDA REPORT
DATE: April 21, 2026
TO: Mayor and Council
FROM: David Gassaway, City Manager
SUBJECT: Resolution 2026-63 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: $192,375; General Fund
Contact: Jausiah Jacobsen, (707) 428-7314
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 agenc y (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 equipment. The ordinance, Chapter 31 of the City of Fairfield Municipal Code; Police Dep artment – 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 17, 2026. The department hosted a well- publicized public meeting regarding the annual report on April 15, 2026, providing an opportunity for public feedback and questions. The meeting was advertised via department social media on March 25, 2026, and on the Police Department website . The Police Department seeks council review and approval of the 2025 Annual Military Equipment Report and Military Equipment Use Policy §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, pepperballs, less lethal shotguns, less lethal 40mm projectile launchers, and flashbangs. The Police Department is committed to us ing 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 an d the accompanying Military Equipment 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 Real Time Information Center (RTIC), Technical Support Team (TST), and Training Division (on behalf of the Patrol Division) analyzed the effectiveness of the specialized equipment it uses and noted areas for equipment improvement.
The Real Time Information Center (RTIC) is a support element for the Police Department’s Patrol Division. RTIC aids in utilizing Unmanned Aerial Vehicles/Systems, License Plate Reader Camera Systems, and City CCTV Camera Systems on Patrol or Operational incidents to provide advanced intelligence, surveillance, tracking, containment, and recovery assistance to patrol officers on scene.
The Technical Support Team is another specialized unit within the department that is trained and equipped to provide unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in roles th at support missing persons searches, disaster reconnaissance, perimeters for fleeing suspects, and observation and information gathering during critical or tactical incidents.
The Training Division evaluates equipment needs on behalf of the Patrol Divisio n and the Police Department as a whole. This includes evaluating tools utilized by Patrol to include but not limited to less lethal launchers and munitions.
The Police Department is requesting to acquire, possess , and maintain the following equipment to ensure safety for the community and officers:
1. DJI Matrice 4TD (Increase of seven)
2. DJI Matrice 4T (Increase of two)
3. DJI Avata 2 (Increase of four)
4. Defense Technology 40mm LMT Single Launcher (Increase of 66)
5. Exact iMpact 40mm Standard Range Sponge Round - Model 6325 (Increase of 800)
6. Pepperball TAC-SF/SA Launcher (Increase of four)
7. 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 choose not to purchase the maximum allowable quantity based on budget and/or department need.
1. DJI Matrice 4TD (Increase of Seven)
These are the docking station version UAS ut ilized by RTIC. These UAS’s are remotely flown by the RTIC members from their remote docking stations strategically placed throughout the city.
The Police Department requests the authority to purchase /acquire up to seven more at $9,899 per unit, with a maximum cost of $29,697.
Note: While the Fairfield Police Department is requesting to increase the total number of units by seven, from two to nine, four of these units would not increase financial exposure to the City of Fairfield as they would be purchased and owned by private businesses within the city. With that being said, since the Fairfield Police Department would be operating them, they are being added for transparency.
2. DJI Matrice 4T (Increase of Two)
These are the patrol-based version of UAS utilized by TST members in the field on Patrol and/or specialized incidents. The Police Department requests authority to purchase up to two more at $8,600 per unit, with a maximum cost of $17,200.
3. DJI Avata 2 (Increase of Four)
These are the patrol-based version of UAS utilized by TST members in the field on Patrol and/or specialized incidents. The Police Department requests authority to purchase up to four more at $1,200 per unit, with a maximum cost of $4,800.
4. Defense Technology 40mm LMT Single Launcher (Increase of 66) The Patrol Division, as well as other specialty units, utilize this as a less lethal option in use of force and deescalation appli cations. This request is to increase and issue out one unit for every patrol officer. This is part of a planned approach and will replace/phase out the issued less lethal shotgun platforms currently in use. The Police Department requests authority to purchase up to 66 additional launchers at $1,777 per unit, with a maximum cost of $117,282.
5. Exact iMpact 40mm Standard Range Songe Round - Model 6325 (Increase of 800) This is the standard munition utilized in the Defense Technology 40mm LMT Single Launcher. An inventory increase is needed to pair with the increase of purchased and issued launchers. The Police Department requests authority to purchase 800 additional rounds at $25 per unit, with a maximum cost of $20,000.
6. Pepperball TAC-SF/SA Launcher (Increase of Four)
The Patrol Division, as well as other specialty units, utilize this as a less lethal option in use of force and deescalation applications. The Police Department is requesting an inventory increase to better deploy these units across patrol and specialty units. The Police Department requests authority to purchase four additional launchers at $849 per unit, with a maximum cost of $3,396.
7. Existing Military Equipment Inventory
The Police Department requests ongoing authorization to replenis h 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 Department’s General Fund and itemized to each category of military equipment usage. The total maximum cost is $192,375, 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
Jausiah Jacobsen, Police Lieutenant
(707) 428-7368
[email protected]
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 2: Proposed Resolution
Attachment 3: FPD Military Equipment Policy 711
Attachment 4: FPD Annual Military Equipment Report