Administrative
Report
H.7., File # 23-6682 Meeting Date: 9/5/2023
To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: JOE HOFFMAN, CHIEF OF POLICE
TITLE
RECEIVE AND FILE THE REDONDO BEACH POLICE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL MILITARY EQUIPMENT REPORT, IN COMPLIANCE WITH TITLE 3, CHAPTER 16 OF THE REDONDO BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE AND ASSEMBLY BILL 481, GOVERNING THE USE OF MILITARY
EQUIPMENT BY THE REDONDO BEACH POLICE DEPARTMENT
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
On September 30, 2021, the Governor of the State of California signed into law Assembly Bill 481 (AB 481), which requires law enforcement agencies to obtain approval from the applicable governing body, via adoption of a “military equipment” use policy by ordinance, before acquiring or using certain equipment defined in the Bill, and to provide an annual report on the status and compliance of the equipment’s use. In FY 2022-23 the Police Department did not acquire any new military equipment or use any listed equipment in violation of the established Ordinance or policy. This report and the updated equipment list are posted and available on the Redondo Beach Police Department website.
BACKGROUND
On August 9, 2022, the City Council adopted an ordinance governing the use of Military Equipment by the Police Department and approved the Military Equipment use policy. The Police Department is committed to using the most up-to-date tools and equipment to safeguard citizens. Many of the items deemed to be “military equipment” by AB 481 are in fact employed by the Police Department, and other law enforcement agencies across the country, in order to specifically reduce risk to community members. These items provide law enforcement with the ability to safely resolve tense situations that otherwise have the potential to rise to lethal force incident levels. The items listed in this report, and the attached Military Equipment Use Policy, also provide members of the Police Department with vital tools that facilitate compliance with the Police Department’s use of force policy. None of the equipment in the Redondo Beach Police Department’s inventory has been obtained from the military, nor is it solely designated for military use.
Significant interest exists in ensuring that law enforcement continues to have access to equipment that will provide peace officers as many options as possible to safeguard lives, ensure safety, and protect civil liberties. The use of the tools identified in the equipment list is vital to the vision and mission of the Police Department and will continue to be strictly regulated through internal processes and oversight.
There are no reasonable alternatives to the applicable equipment items listed that are currently in use by the Police Department. Additionally, the Police Department has not discovered alternative items that can achieve the same safety objectives. Any use of what has been deemed military equipment by AB 481 must be reasonably necessary and conform to all applicable laws and Police
H.7., File # 23-6682 Meeting Date: 9/5/2023
equipment by AB 481 must be reasonably necessary and conform to all applicable laws and Police Department policy sections. The facts and circumstances surrounding any incident must be carefully weighed and considered before authorizing the use of the listed equipment.
This Annual Military Equipment Reports (which are available on the Police Department website) reaffirm the Police Department’s commitment to providing transparency and information, in addition to ensuring compliance with California State law. The equipment, resources and training outlined in this report allow Redondo Beach Police Officers to better serve and protect the City of Redondo Beach, enhance the safety of officers and community as well as bring critical incidents to safe resolutions.
The Police Department has not received any community complaints, concerns or internal investigations related to the military equipment use since adoption of the ordinance. The Police Department utilized military equipment in FY 2022-23 for pre-planned tactical training, Drone First Responder Deployments and one search warrant service. Documentation of all equipment use is maintained by the Police Department. All use of listed equipment in FY 2022-23 complied with the military equipment use policy. In FY 2023-24, the Police Department projects the purchase of ammunition and breaching rounds to replenish inventory used during training and operations at an estimated total amount of $5,800, and these funds are included in the Department’s FY 2023-24 operating budget.
The Police Department has scheduled a virtual community meeting for September 21, 2023, from 2:00-3:00 PM to discuss the annual report and to answer any questions. The link for the meeting is available on the Police Department’s homepage.
COORDINATION
The Police Department collaborated internally with the various users of the listed equipment to develop this report.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with the update of the equipment list and completion of this report. Any purchases of listed equipment to maintain acceptable inventory levels are included in the FY 2023-24 Police Department operating budget.
APPROVED BY:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
· Report - RBPD AB 481 Compliance Inventory, FY 2023-24 · Report - RBPD AB 481 Compliance Inventory, FY 2022-23 · RMBC Title 3, Chapter 16.01 - Military Equipment Use Policy · Redondo Beach Police Department Policy 705 - Military Equipment Policy · AB 481 Bill, Approved September 30, 2021