CITY OF PACIFICA
COUNCIL AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT
10/27/2025
1 SUBJECT:
2024 Annual Military Equipment Use Report and renewal of Military Equipment Use Policy RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Adopt a resolution of the City Council of the City of Pacifica approving the Pacifica Police Department 2024 Annual Military Equipment Use Report and renewing Ordinance No. 896 and the adoption of the Military Equipment Use Policy (Policy 705).
STAFF CONTACT:
Ryan Bianculli, Police Sergeant
(650) 738-7314
[email protected]
Vicente Romero, Police Captain
(650) 738-7314
[email protected]
BACKGROUND:
On April 11, 2022, the Pacifica City Council approved the Police Department’s Military Equipment Use Policy (Policy 705) and introduced an ordinance governing the acquisition and use of military equipment by the Pacifica Police Department.
On April 25, 2022, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 877-C.S., formally approving the Acquisition and Use of Military Equipment Ordinance, which was superseded by Ordinance No. 896-C.S., adopted on October 28, 2024. Ordinance No. 896 revised Chapter 19 of Title 4 to provide that the Pacifica Police Department's Policy 705 "Military Equipment" will be maintained on the Pacifica Police Department's website. This ordinance requires annual renewal, and the Police Department must provide an annual Military Equipment Report to both the City Council and the public.
Pursuant to California Government Code §7072, the annual report must include information regarding the purpose, authorized uses, acquisition or disposal, associated costs, and any complaints related to the listed equipment. The attached report outlines all equipment approved for departmental use. This equipment is standard in modern law enforcement and serves to enhance officer and community safety, support de-escalation efforts, and effectively manage critical incidents.
The Pacifica Police Department does not possess equipment supplied by the military or Pacifica City Council 2
October 27, 2025
obtained through military surplus programs, and none of the equipment is specifically designed for military purposes.
DISCUSSION:
The 2024 Annual Military Equipment Use Report is attached to this council report. Pursuant to Assembly Bill 481, the report includes the following information:
Summary of Use:
All uses of military equipment complied with the Military Equipment Use Policy.
Complaints or Concerns:
No complaints or concerns were received regarding the department’s use of authorized equipment.
Internal Audits and Violations:
No internal audit findings, policy violations, or corrective actions were reported.
Annual Costs:
The total annual costs for each category of military equipment, including acquisition, personnel, training, transportation, maintenance, storage, and upgrades, are detailed in the attached 2024 Annual Military Equipment Use Report.
Quantity of Equipment:
The quantities of each type of approved equipment are outlined in the attached report.
Intended Acquisitions:
In October 2024, the Pacifica Police Department received approval to purchase and deploy Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS/drones). Delivery of the initially purchased DJI drones was delayed when the United States Customs and Border Protection Agency prohibited their import due to concerns about labor practices. The department subsequently partnered with its vendor, Axon, to acquire replacement drones from Skydio, an American manufacturer based in San Mateo. Delivery of the Skydio drones is anticipated in Fall 2025.
The Pacifica Police Department will also purchase twenty (20) additional Smith & Wesson rifles in 2025 to enhance operational readiness and officer safety.
During 2024, the Mobile Command Trailer was deployed at community and special events including Fog Fest, Fourth of July celebrations, and DUI checkpoints. No complaints were received regarding its use. The Police Department did not acquire any new military equipment during the reporting period.
The department requested mutual aid support from the San Bruno Police Department’s Drone Team on four (4) occasions in 2024. The drone assets provided real-time, high-resolution situational awareness during critical incidents while enhancing officer and community safety.
Pacifica City Council 3
October 27, 2025
February 1, 2024: Officers responded to a report of a double homicide. UAS deployment assisted in determining the report was false.
February 25, 2024: UAS was used during the search for a suspect following a residential burglary in progress.
July 8, 2024: UAS supported the search for a violent and combative subject who fled into a densely vegetated area after attempting to break into a residence.
November 22, 2024: UAS assisted in locating a suspect following a commercial burglary in progress.
In 2024, there were two (2) incidents where the FTC Launchers were utilized.
June 2, 2024: Officers provided mutual aid to San Bruno PD during the apprehension of a wanted felon who barricaded himself inside a vehicle. The FTC launcher was used to break the vehicle’s window and allow officers to safely take the suspect into custody without injury.
July 8, 2024: During the same incident described above, the FTC Launcher deployed a pepper irritant into the area where the suspect fled, prompting compliance without the need for higher levels of force.
Government Code Section 7072 requires law enforcement agencies to submit an annual Military Equipment Report to their governing body and to hold at least one well-publicized and conveniently located community engagement meeting. This meeting must provide the public an opportunity to discuss and ask questions regarding the annual report and the department’s funding, acquisition, or use of military equipment.
To renew Ordinance No. 896, Government Code Section 7071 further requires the City Council to review the Police Department’s annual Military Equipment Report and determine whether each type of military equipment identified in the report complies with the standards for approval.
The Pacifica Police Department held a well-publicized and conveniently located community engagement meeting at a local Starbucks on September 10, 2025. The Department submitted the 2024 Annual Military Equipment Use Report to the Pacifica City Council on September 15, 2025, and made the report publicly available on the Police Department’s website on September 8, 2025.
The City Council meeting on October 27, 2025, fulfills the requirements of AB 481 and provides the Council the opportunity to consider the 2024 Annual Military Equipment Use Report and determine whether the use of military equipment remains consistent with the standards outlined in the Military Equipment Use Policy.
Intention to Acquire New Militarized Equipment:
The Pacifica Police Department will purchase twenty (20) additional Smith & Wesson rifles in Pacifica City Council 4
October 27, 2025
2025 to enhance operational readiness and officer safety. The additional rifles will ensure that officers have immediate access to a rifle during high-risk incidents, eliminating delays associated with locating or transferring shared weapons. Individual rifle assignments will also allow officers to become more familiar with the function and handling of their specific weapon, reducing the potential for error when responding under stressful conditions.
Individual rifle assignments will further strengthen accountability and maintenance practices. A defined chain of custody will facilitate the tracking of use, inspections, and maintenance schedules, thereby reducing liability for the department. Officers are generally more diligent in the care and upkeep of equipment assigned to them personally, resulting in improved reliability and extended service life.
Training and overall proficiency will also improve through consistent use of the same weapon system. Optics and sights can be calibrated to each officer’s preference, increasing accuracy and confidence. Regular use of an assigned rifle supports skill development and readiness that cannot be achieved when equipment is shared among multiple users.
As previously discussed, in October 2024 the Police Department received approval to acquire two (2) Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS/drones) manufactured by DJI. Delivery of those units was delayed when the United States Customs and Border Protection Agency restricted their import from China due to labor practice concerns. The Department subsequently purchased two (2) replacement drones from Skydio, an American manufacturer based in San Mateo. Delivery of the Skydio drones is expected in December 2025, and the prior order for the DJI drones was canceled.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION:
Decline to approve the Pacifica Police Department 2024 Annual Military Equipment Use Report and provide further direction to staff.
RELATION TO CITY COUNCIL STRATEGIC PLAN:
Strategic Goal 2: Improve and steward City infrastructure, streets, and facilities.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total cost of a five-year contract with Axon for two (2) Skydio UAS drones, accessories, training, and required licenses is approximately $71,000. This acquisition is funded through the Department of Justice COPS Technology and Equipment Grant.
The total budgeted cost for twenty (20) Smith & Wesson rifles and accessories is $25,000, as approved in the Police Department’s FY 2024–25 budget.
CEQA:
Pacifica City Council 5
October 27, 2025
The Ordinance and Policy are exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) because they will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment and is not a “project,” as defined in Section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines.
ORIGINATED BY:
Police
ATTACHMENT LIST:
Attachment A - 2024 Annual Military Equipment Use Report (PDF) Attachment B - Military Equipment Policy #705 (PDF)
Pacifica City Council 6
October 27, 2025
RESOLUTION NO. _______
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PACIFICA APPROVING THE PACIFICA POLICE DEPARTMENT 2024 ANNUAL MILITARY EQUIPMENT USE REPORT AND RENEWING ORDINANCE NO. 896 AND THE ADOPTION OF THE MILITARY EQUIPMENT USE POLICY (POLICY 705)
WHEREAS, on September 30, 2021, Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law Assembly Bill 481, relating to the use of military equipment by law enforcement agencies; and
WHEREAS, Assembly Bill 481, codified at California Government Code sections 7070 through 7075, requires law enforcement agencies to obtain approval of the applicable governing body prior to taking certain actions relating to the funding, acquisition, solicitation, or use of military equipment; and
WHEREAS, Assembly Bill 481, requires that the approval by the governing body by an ordinance adopting a military equipment use policy, at a regular meeting held pursuant to open meeting laws; and
WHEREAS, Assembly Bill 481 allows the governing body of a city to approve the funding, acquisition, or use of military equipment within its jurisdiction only if it makes specified determinations with respect to a military equipment use policy; and WHEREAS, a draft of the Pacifica Police Department 2024 Annual Militarized Equipment Use Report was published on the Department’s internet website, and provided to the City Council at least 30 days prior to public hearing in accordance with requirements of Government Code section 7071; and
WHEREAS, the Pacifica Police Department’s Policy 705 “Military Equipment” meets the requirements of California Government Code section 7070, subdivision (d); and WHEREAS, the military equipment identified in Policy 705 “Military Equipment” is necessary, because there are no reasonable alternatives that can achieve the same objectives of officer and civilian safety; and
WHEREAS, Policy 705 “Military Equipment” will safeguard the public’s welfare, safety, civil rights, and civil liberties; and
WHEREAS, the military equipment identified in Policy 705 “Military Equipment” is reasonably cost effective compared to available alternatives that can achieve the same objective of officer and civilian safety; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Pacifica originally adopted Ordinance No. 877-C.S. which became effective on May 25, 2022, adopting the City of Pacifica’s Military Equipment Policy, Policy 705 “Military Equipment”; and
Pacifica City Council 7
October 27, 2025
WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 877-C.S. was superseded by Ordinance No. 896-C.S, which was adopted on October 28, 2024; and
WHEREAS, in accordance with Government Code section 7071(e), the Police Department has prepared the 2024 Annual Military Equipment Use Report, which was made available to Council on September 15, 2025, and made available to the public on the Pacifica Police Department’s website on September 8, 2025; and WHEREAS, the Police Department held a well-publicized and conveniently located community engagement meeting at Starbucks (Fairmont Shopping Center) on September 10, 2025, where the public discussed and asked questions regarding the annual military equipment report and the Pacifica Police Department’s funding, acquisition, or use of military equipment; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Pacifica has been presented with the 2024 Annual Military Equipment Use Report by the City of Pacifica Police Department and has determined that use of each type of military equipment identified in that report has complied with the military equipment use policy that was in effect at the time and satisfies all the requirements specified in Government Code section 7072.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Pacifica does hereby find that the 2024 Annual Military Equipment Use Report by the City of Pacifica Police Department meets the requirements of Government Code section 7072 and the use of military equipment complied with the standards of use authorized. The City Council hereby renews Ordinance No. 896-C.S. and the Pacifica Police Department’s Policy 705 “Military Equipment”, found here:
https://www.cityofpacifica.org/departments/police/transparency and approves the 2024 Annual Military Equipment Use Report.
• • • • •
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Pacifica, California, held on the 27th day of October 2025, by the following vote:
AYES, Councilmembers:
NOES, Councilmembers:
ABSENT, Councilmembers:
ABSTAIN, Councilmembers:
_________________________________
Sue Beckmeyer, Mayor
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
______________________________ _________________________________ Sarah Coffey, City Clerk Michelle Kenyon, City Attorney