California Assembly Bill 481
Military Equipment Use Policy
City Council Regular Meeting
March 9, 2026
Item: 5.3
PUBLIC HEARING
Police uniform patch
Summary
These are the broad topics this business meeting will cover.
Tonight, the Police Department is requesting that the City Council hold a public hearing to consider an Ordinance to Amend Chapter 9.20 Titled “Military Equipment Use Policy”, of Title 9 “Public Peace and Welfare” of the Lathrop Municipal Code by Amending Section 9.20.010 titled “Definitions” and Section 9.20.050 titled “Active Policies” to Update Existing Military Use Policy No. 706, and revise Section 706.1.1 - Definitions.
Additionally, staff requests that the City Council adopt a Resolution accepting the Annual Military Equipment Report, summarizing the equipment use and funding from January 2025 through December 2025.
Background: AB 481
These are the broad topics this business meeting will cover.
On September 30, 2021, Governor Newsom signed seven major peace officer reform bills into law, including Assembly Bill 481 (AB 481), codified in CA Govt. Code Sections 7070-7075.
AB 481 addresses the funding, acquisition and use of specific items deemed military equipment.
AB 481 requires local Police Departments to implement a military equipment use policy and obtain approval of the local governing body through ordinance, prior to taking certain actions relating to the funding, acquisition, or use of military equipment.
Timeline
What's Next
Background: Prior Ordinances
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During the June 13, 2022 meeting, the City Council adopted Ordinance 22-436, amending Title 9 “Public Peace and Welfare” of the Lathrop Municipal Code (LMC) to add Chapter 9.20 titled “Military Equipment Use Policy” to establish the military equipment use policy required by AB 481.
At that time, City Council authorized the Lathrop Police Department to fund, acquire, and use thirty-five 5.56mm semiautomatic rifles and ammunition, and eight 40mm launchers and rounds.
What's Next
Background: Prior Ordinances
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In subsequent meetings, City Council adopted Ordinance 22-441, Ordinance 24-453, and Ordinance 25-463.
These ordinances authorized funding, acquisition, and use of additional military equipment, including, but not limited to unmanned aerial systems (UAS), more commonly known as drones, additional rifles and less lethal launchers, and other specialty impact munitions. A sniper rifle and submachine guns were also authorized to equip Lathrop Police Officers assigned to the Regional SWAT Team along with several specialized vehicles.
Timeline
What's Next
Obtain annual
authorization from City
Council by ordinance,
adopting the military
equipment use policy.
Publish the draft
military equipment use
policy to the Police
Department’s website
30 days ahead of the
public hearing.
The Police
Department must
publish an annual
report including each
type of military
equipment approved
by City Council.
Background: Requirements of AB 481
City Council conducts an annual
review of the military equipment
use ordinance and has the
option to either disapprove a
renewal of a type of military
equipment or amend the
military equipment use policy if
it determines that the military
equipment does not comply
with standards.
Hold at least one well
publicized and conveniently
located community
engagement meeting within
30 days of submitting and
publicly releasing the annual
military equipment report.
Background: Requirements of AB 481
Background: Definition of Military Equipment
Ca GC 7070 establishes 15 categories of equipment items designated as military equipment, including UAS, armored vehicles, firearms and ammunition greater than .50 caliber, explosive breaching tools, certain electroshock and acoustic devices, along with other specified items as defined in the code section.
Following the passage of AB 2546, these definitions were updated effective January 2025, to replace certain devices referred to in the definitions by specific trade names with a general description of those devices.
Background: Public Notice
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On February 6, 2026, the City published the revised Military Equipment List for Military Equipment Use Policy No. 706 and the Annual Military Equipment Report on the dedicated Police Department AB 481 web page.
The Public Hearing Notice for tonight’s meeting was also published with the Manteca Bulletin on February 6, 2026. Timeline
What's Next
Background: Equipment List Updates
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Timeline
Equipment Item Quantity Approved Quantity Owned Actions Taken in 2025 Actions to be Taken in 2026 SWAT Quick Response
Vehicle (QRV)
1 1 Vehicle was acquired,
upfitted, and has been
deployed to support SWAT
training and operations.
Regular maintenance.
Command and Control
Vehicle for Mobile
Command Post
1 0 Attempted to identify
funding sources.
Continue to identify
funding sources and
vendors.
Command and Control
Vehicle for Crime Scene
Investigations
1 0 Attempted to identify
funding sources.
Continue to identify
funding sources and
vendors.
Lenco Bearcat or Similar
Armored Rescue Vehicle
1 0 Attempted to identify
funding sources.
Continue to identify
funding sources and
vendors.
Background: Equipment List Updates
These are the broad topics this business meeting will cover.
Timeline
Equipment Item Quantity Approved Quantity Owned Actions Taken in 2025 Actions to be Taken in 2026 Proforce MPX Submachine
Guns with Suppressors
6 0 Attempted to identify
funding sources.
Continue to identify
funding sources and
vendors.
LWRC Sniper Rifle with
Suppressor
1 0 Identified funding source
and vendors.
Purchase item, operator to
attend specialized training
course.
5.56mm Daniel Defense
Semiautomatic Rifles
(11.5”) and Ammunition
21 21 Ten additional rifles
purchased, inventoried, and
assigned to incoming
personnel.
Regular maintenance of
equipment and annual
training for personnel.
40 mm Launchers and
rounds
36 16 Attempted to identify
funding sources.
Continue to identify
funding sources and
vendors.
CTS 40mm Frangible Impact
Rounds
96 0 Attempted to identify
funding sources.
Funding and vendors
identified, purchase to be
completed.
CTS 7290M Tactical Flash
Bang
24 0 Attempted to identify
funding sources.
Funding and vendors
identified, purchase to be
completed.
Background: 2025 Annual Report
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The annual report contains descriptions of each equipment item and documents all deployments and complaints received regarding the deployment of that specific item.
Lathrop Police deployed a 40mm launcher twice in the City during this reporting period. LPD also deployed UAS six times during this reporting period. No complaints were received associated with these deployments, and no policy violations were observed during review.
Mutual Aid SWAT Officers deployed “flashbang” distraction devices three times and an armored rescue vehicle four times within the City during the reporting period. No complaints were received associated with these deployments, and no policy violations were observed during review.
Fiscal Impact
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There is no fiscal impact resulting from this item as no additional equipment is being requested for 2026 and approval of this item does not approve any funding for previously approved equipment.
• Hold a Public Hearing to hear public comment regarding the proposed Ordinance and Annual Report
• Introduce and conduct the first reading of the proposed Ordinance to Amend Chapter
9.20 Titled “Military Equipment Use Policy”, of Title 9 “Public Peace and Welfare” of the Lathrop Municipal Code by Amending Section 9.20.010 titled “Definitions” and Section
9.20.050 titled “Active Policies” to Update Existing Military Use Policy No. 706, and revise Section 706.1.1 - Definitions.
Council Requested Actions
• Adopt a Resolution accepting the 2025 Annual Military Equipment Report summarizing the equipment use and funding from January 2025 through December 2025.
Lathrop Police
Department
Military Equipment Use
Lathrop Police Department