STAFF REPORT
City of Lancaster
CC 11
2/24/2026
TN
Date: February 10, 2026
To: Mayor Parris and City Council Members
From: Allison E. Burns, City Attorney
Rodrick Armalin, Chief of Police - Lancaster Police Department Subject: Adopt a resolution renewing the Lancaster Police Department’s Military Equipment Use Policy
Recommendations:
1. Receive Lancaster Police Department's annual military equipment use report.
2. Adopt Resolution No.____ renewing the Lancaster Police Department’s Military Equipment Use Policy.
3. Approve the purchase of equipment listed in the military equipment inventory list identified as “quantity sought” under each item inventory summary. a. (18) Geissele 5.56mm duty rifles
b. (5) Pava (pepperball) projectile launchers + munitions (pepperballs) c. (500) Defense Technologies Drag Stabilized 12-Gauge Beanbag Rounds d.(2) 40mm Single Launcher and Alternative Impact Munitions
Fiscal Impact:
New purchases: $55,720.94 (one-time cost)
Background:
Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill 481, on September 30, 2021, which aims to regulate the financing, procurement, and utilization of "military equipment" by law enforcement agencies in California, codified in California Government Code section 7070, et seq. AB 481 is a state requirement that all agencies disclose the purchase or intent to purchase certain listed equipment available to Law Enforcement agencies from the federal government as military surplus. AB 481 allows the governing body to approve funding, acquisition, and use of military equipment within its jurisdiction if it determines that the military equipment meets specific standards. 2 3
1 4
On March 25, 2025, the Lancaster City Council approved Ordinance No. 1128, permanently adopting a Military Equipment Use Policy. The LPD’s Military Equipment policy went into effect on January 28, 2025 after the adoption of emergency ordinance No.1125. Consistent with California law, this policy sets forth the guidelines for the approval, acquisition, use, and reporting requirements for military equipment utilized by the LPD. Ordinance No. 1128 and LPD Policy Section 706 (Military Equipment) can be readily found on the city’s website.
The Lancaster Police Department holds a community engagement meeting yearly at the Lancaster Police Department’s community room, wherein members of the public may attend to ask questions, complain, or comment on the military equipment use policy and inventory list.
Additionally, members of the public are free to engage the city council during any public council meeting during the public hearing portion of each meeting. The public is not limited to commenting only at the yearly LPD community engagement meeting. The 2026 community meeting took place January 15, 2026 at 3:00pm, in the Lancaster Police Department Community Room.
The Lancaster Police Department’s Annual Military Equipment Use Report is a yearly report summarizing the inventory list, equipment use, and community feedback/questions.
Summary:
This is only a very basic summary of the equipment requested for purchase by the Lancaster Police Department. All of the items can be found in LPD’s military equipment inventory list, complete with extensive information including purposes/authorized use and training requirements prior to authorization of use.
a. (18) Geissele 5.56mm duty rifles
As the LPD grows, the need to purchase standard duty rifles accordingly also grows.
b. (5) Pava (pepperball) projectile launchers + munitions (pepperballs) Pava projectiles, also known as ‘pepperball launchers’ are essentially paintball guns designed to launch pepperballs as less-lethal force options. With LPD’s increase in personnel, it is important to have alternative force options readily available to officers for situational de-escalation and preservation of life. c. (500) Defense Technologies Drag Stabilized 12-Gauge Beanbag Rounds Beanbag rounds, also called ‘stun bags’ are used as less-lethal options during highly volatile situations in an effort to de-escalate, gain compliance, and preserve life.
The training required prior to use of such equipment necessitates a high number of rounds purchased to be utilized during training.
d.(2) 40mm Single Launcher and Alternative Impact Munitions The 40mm single launcher is a less-lethal impact weapon designed to maximize preservation of life while gaining control of volatile situations. These launchers are capable of launching impact projectiles such as sponge rounds.
Attachments:
Annual Military Equipment Use Report including Military Equipment Inventory List Ordinance 1128 including LPD Military Equipment Policy 706 Resolution No.____