CITY OF MENIFEE
SUBJECT: Menifee Police Department’s Annual Military Equipment Use Report
MEETING DATE: April 2, 2025
TO: Mayor and City Council
PREPARED BY: Paul Barbieri, Lieutenant
REVIEWED BY: Chris Karrer, Police Chief
APPROVED BY: Armando G. Villa, City Manager
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
1.Affirm the continued use of City of Menifee Municipal Code (MMC) Section 11.05 and Menifee Police Department Policy No. 706, providing approval, acquisition, and reporting requirements of military equipment; and
2. Receive and file the Menifee Police Department’s Annual Military Equipment Use Report for 2024 and determine the report complies with the standards of approval, as required by Assembly Bill 481 (AB481).
DISCUSSION
On September 30, 2021, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB481, which became effective January 1, 2022. The bill required law enforcement agencies to adopt a Military Equipment Use Policy. AB481 designates certain law enforcement equipment as “military equipment” and requires oversight from a governing body for their purchase and use. In the City of Menifee, the City Council serves as the governing body responsible for overseeing the Menifee Police Department’s use of such equipment.
Pursuant to AB481, the City Council is required to annually review and affirm the continued use of MMC Section 11.05 and receive an annual military equipment report.
The “military equipment” acquired by the Menifee Police Department (MPD), as defined by AB481, along with the anticipated acquisitions for the 2025 calendar year, are outlined in the attached Military Equipment Use Report. Based on this report, the City Council is asked to determine whether the continued use of each type of military equipment meets the approval criteria outlined in MMC Section 11.05, which include:
City of Menifee Staff Report
Military Equipment Use Report- Per AB481
April 2, 2025
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1. The military equipment is necessary because there is no reasonable alternative that can achieve the same objective of officer and civilian safety.
2. The proposed military equipment use policy will safeguard the public's welfare, safety, civil rights, and civil liberties.
3. If purchasing military equipment, the equipment is reasonably cost effective compared to available alternatives that can achieve the same objective of officer and civilian safety.
4. Prior military equipment use complied with the Military Equipment Use Policy that was in effect at the time, or if prior uses did not comply with the accompanying Military Equipment Use Policy, corrective action has been taken to remedy nonconforming uses and ensure future compliance.
In accordance with AB481, the Policy has been available for public review on the MPD’s website over the past year. The report for 2024 was added to the Department’s website and made accessible to the public on February 4, 2025. Both documents are included as attachments to this staff report.
The report presented for the City Council’s review meets the requirements of AB481 and MMC Section 11.05. It provides a comprehensive overview of the Department’s use, acquisition, costs, internal audits, complaints, and itemized reporting of military equipment over the past year.
Additionally, the Report reinforces the MPD’s ongoing commitment to transparency and accountability with both the community and governing bodies.
STRATEGIC PLAN OBJECTIVE
Safe and Vibrant Community
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with the recommended action.
ATTACHMENTS
1. 2024 Military Equipment Use Report
2. Policy No. 706 – Military Equipment
3. Menifee Municipal Code Chapter 11.50