Annual Military
Equipment Report
Jan. 1, 2023 – Dec. 31, 2023
Richmond Police Department
Richmond Police Department
Annual Military Equipment Use Report
Jan.1, 2023 – December 31, 2023
2 CONTENTS
Mission Statement __________________________ 3
Equipment Overview ________________________ 4
Introduction _______________________________ 5
Executive Summary _________________________ 6
Definitions ________________________________ 8
Equipment Inventory by Type ________________ 10
Military Equipment Use Summary _____________ 13
Summary of Complaints / Concerns ___________ 15
Fiscal Impact _____________________________ 16
Conclusion _______________________________ 17
Richmond Police Department
Annual Military Equipment Use Report
Jan.1, 2023 – December 31, 2023
3 MISSION STATEMENT
The Mission of the Richmond Police Department is to prevent crime and maintain order.
We work in partnership with our diverse community to help solve neighborhood problems, address root causes of crime and improve the quality of life in Richmond.
We strive to perform in a manner that promotes public trust, confidence and a sense of safety and security.
Richmond Police Department
Annual Military Equipment Use Report
Jan.1, 2023 – December 31, 2023
4 EQUIPMENT OVERVIEW
The Richmond Police Department does not possess any tactical equipment that it has obtained from the military, nor does it possess any equipment that was designed for military use. RPD does not participate in the Law Enforcement Support Officer (LESO) 10-33 program. The Department does not currently receive or utilize surplus military equipment from the Federal government. It is the policy of the Richmond Police Department to acquire and use equipment designed to enhance municipal law enforcement’s ability to ensure public safety and welfare.
Items deemed to be “military equipment” by Government Code § 7070 are used as a component of overall best practices for law enforcement agencies throughout the country. These tools have been tested in the field and are used by law enforcement agencies to enhance public safety, and officer safety. The term "military equipment," as used in Government Code § 7070, in fact does not necessarily indicate equipment that has been used by the military.
It is the policy of the Richmond Police Department to acquire and use equipment designed to enhance law enforcement's ability to ensure public safety and welfare. It is the policy of RPD that members of this department comply with the provisions of Government Code § 7071 and Richmond Police Policy Manual 707 with respect to military equipment use. California Government Code § 7070 provides a list of equipment types that are considered to be "military equipment" for purposes of this report, and RPD Military Equipment Use Pol icy includes information for any such equipment types that are used by RPD.
The equipment listed in this report are essential tools that may be required on occasion to prevent, avoid, or stop imminent or threatened violent acts towards our community.
The mere possession of this equipment does not warrant its use in every circumstance. However, having this equipment available increases the Department’s ability to mitigate violent threats towards the public.
There is significant interest in ensuring that the Richmond Police Department continues to have access to equipment that will provide its officers as many options as possible to safeguard lives, ensure safety, and protect civil liberties. The use of the tools identified below are vital to R PD’s mission an d will continue to be strictly regulated through internal processes and oversight.
Richmond Police Department
Annual Military Equipment Use Report
Jan.1, 2023 – December 31, 2023
5 INTRODUCTION
The Richmond Police Department maintains and deploys a wide variety of military equipment to assist in safely achieving the furtherance of its mission statement to “prevent crime and maintain order. We work in partnership with our diverse community to help solve neighborhood problems, address root causes of crime and improve the quality of life in Richmond. We strive to perform in a manner that promotes public trust, confidence and a sense of safety and security.” While the inventory of military equipment is varied, the mere possession of the equipment does not warrant its use for every incident.
The Richmond Police Department recognizes that critical incidents are unpredictable and can be very dynamic in nature. A variety of military equipment options can greatly assist incident commanders, officers, and specific units in bringing those incidents to a swift resolution in a safe manner.
The use of military equipment is restricted for use only in certain instances and in some cases only by certain units. While the military equipment procedure is wide-ranging, it is not all inclusive. There may be instances wherein unpredictable critical incidents demand the need for incident commanders to authorize military equipment to be used in a manner not outlined within procedure. In scrutinizing those particular in stances, the judgment of the incident commander influenced by the totality of the circumstances, public safety, officer safety, civil rights, and information available at the time will be used.
It is incumbent upon incident commanders, supervisors, indivi dual officers, and specific units to recognize the particular circumstances wherein military equipment should be employed to enhance the safety of the public and officers, and to bring critical incident to a safe resolution.
This annual report outlines a summary of military equipment usage guidelines, inventory, fiscal impact, complaints, and reported concerns from Jan. 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023.
Richmond Police Department
Annual Military Equipment Use Report
Jan.1, 2023 – December 31, 2023
6 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
On September 30, 2021, the Governor of the State of California approved AB -481 requ iring law enforcement agencies to obtain approval of the applicable governing body (Mayor and City Council), by adoption of a military equipment use policy. The Department is required to seek City Council approval of their military equipment use procedure by ordinance at a regular open meeting prior to taking certain actions relating to the funding, acquisition, or use of military equipment, as defined.
The bill allows the governing body to approve the funding, acquisition, or use of military equipment within its jurisdiction only if it determines that the military equipment meets specified standards. The ordinance is subject to annual City Council review to determine whether, based on an annual military equipment report, the standards set forth in the approving ordinance have been met. The City Council may renew the authorizing ordinance, disapprove authorization for particular military equipment where standards have not been met, or require modifications to the military equipment use procedure to address any non-compliance with standards.
Finally, the bill requires publication of the military equipment use procedure and the annual military equipment report on the Department’s website. The military equipment use procedure must be posted on the website at least 30 days prior to the Council meeting.
AB-481, Section 7072 states the following:
(a) A law enforcement agency that receives approval for a military equipment use policy pursuant to Section 7071 shall submit to the governing body an annual military equipment report for each type of military equipment approved by the governing body within one year of approval, and annually thereafter for as long as the military equipment is available for use. The law enforcement agency shall also make each annual military equipment report required by this section publicly available on its internet website for as long as the military equipment is available for use. The annual military equipment report shall, at a minimum, include the following information for the immediately preceding calendar year for each type of military equipment:
(1) A summary of how the military equipment was used and the purpose of its use.
(2) A summary of any complaints or concerns received concerning the military equipment.
(3) The results of any internal audits, any information about violations of the military equipment use policy, and any actions taken in response.
(4) The total annual cost for each type of military equipment, including acquisition, personnel, training, transportation, maintenance, storage, upgrade, and other ongoing costs, and from what source funds will be provided for the military equipment in the calendar year following submission of the annual military equipment report.
Richmond Police Department
Annual Military Equipment Use Report
Jan.1, 2023 – December 31, 2023
7 (5) The quantity possessed for each type of military equipment.
(6) If the law enforcement agency intends to acquire additional military equipment in the next year, the quantity sought for each type of military equipment.
(7) Within 30 days of submitting and publicly releasing an annual military equipment report pursuant to this section, the law enforcement agency shall hold at least one well-publicized and conveniently located community engagement meeting, at which the general public may discuss and ask questions regarding the annual military equipment report and the law enforcement agency’s funding, acquisition, or use of military equipment.
In addition to maintaining the highest levels of public safety, the Richmond Police Department is committed to transparency, public trust, community partnerships, and compliance with the law.
Richmond Police Department
Annual Military Equipment Use Report
Jan.1, 2023 – December 31, 2023
8 DEFINITIONS
Pursuant to AB-481, the following definitions are applicable only to the Department’s current military equipment inventory and potential future military equipment acquisitions for operational needs. (For a more detailed list, refer to Government Code section 7070, for “military equipment” as defined within the Assembly Bill.)
“Governing body” means the Richmond City Council and Mayor. “Military equipment” means the following:
1. (UAS) Unmanned, remotely piloted, powered aerial or ground vehicles. This definition applies to the Department’s inventory of small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) and SWAT robots.
2. Mine-resistant ambush -protected (MRAP) vehicles or armored personnel carriers. (Not applicable to the Richmond Police Department)
3. High mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicles (HMMWV), 2 ½, ton trucks, five-ton trucks, or wheeled vehicles that have breaching or entry apparatus attached. (Not applicable to the Richmond Police Department)
4. Tracked armored vehicles that provide ballistic protection to their oc cupants (Not applicable to the Richmond Police Department)
5. (Mobile Command Center) Command and control vehicles that are either built or modified to facilitate the operational control and direction of public safety units. (Mobile Command Vehicle)
6. Weaponized aircraft, vessels, or vehicles of any kind . (Not applicable to the Richmond Police Department)
7. (Breaching Shotguns) Battering rams, slugs, and breaching apparatuses that are explosive in nature. This does not include a handheld, one-person ram.
8. Firearms and ammunition of .50 caliber or greater, excluding standard -issue shotguns and standard-issue shotgun ammunition. (Not applicable to the Richmond Police Department)
9. (Patrol Rifles) Specialized firearms and ammunition of less than .50 caliber, including firearms and accessories identified as assault weapons in Penal Code 30510 and Penal Code 30515, with exception of standard-issue firearms.
10. Any firearm or firearm accessory that is designed to launch explosive projectiles. (Not applicable to the Richmond Police Department)
11. (Flash-bangs) Noise-flash diversionary devices and explosive breaching tools.
12. (Chemical Agents) Munitions containing tear gas or OC, excluding standard, service- issued handheld pepper spray.
13. Taser Shockwave, microwave weapons, water cannons, and long range acoustic devices also known as LRADs. (Not applicable to the Richmond Police Department)
14. Kinetic energy weapons and munitions to include 40mm launcher, bean bag shotgun,
Richmond Police Department
Annual Military Equipment Use Report
Jan.1, 2023 – December 31, 2023
9 foam-tipped projectiles.
15. Any other equipment as determined by a governing body (Richmond City Council) or a state agency to require additional oversight. (Not applicable to the Richmond Police Department)
“Military Equipment Use Policy” refers to the Richmond Police Department’s Military Equipment Use Policy (PM 707) and means a publicly released, written document governing the use of military equipment by the Department that addresses, at a minimum, all of the following:
1. A description of each type of military equipment, the quantity sought, its capabilities, expected lifespan, and product descriptions from the manufacturer of the military equipment.
2. The purposes and authorized uses for which the Department proposes to use each type of military equipment.
3. The fiscal impact of each type of military equipment, including the initial costs of obtaining the equipment and estimated annual costs of maintaining the equipment.
4. The legal and procedural rules that govern each authorized use.
5. The training, including any course required by the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training, that must be completed before any sworn member is allowed to use each specific type of military equipment to ensure the full protection of the public’s welfare, safety, civil rights, and civil liberties and full adherence to the military equipment use policy.
6. The mechanisms to ensure compliance with the military equipment use policy, including which independent persons or entities have oversight authority, and, if applicable, what legally enforceable sanctions are put in place for violations of the policy.
7. The procedures by which members of the public may register complaints or concerns or submit questions about the use of each specific type of military equipment, and how the Department will ensure that each complaint, concern, or question receives a response in a timely manner.
Richmond Police Department
Annual Military Equipment Use Report
Jan.1, 2023 – December 31, 2023
10 EQUIPMENT INVENTORY BY TYPE
Note: The inventory of certain items of consumable military equipment (e.g. ammunition, diversionary devices, chemical agents, etc.) frequently fluctuates throughout the year due to operational usage, training, operational wear, or manufacturer recommended replacement guidelines. While the Richmond Police Department strives to provide accuracy in its inventory reporting, this report reflects approximations of certain consumable items of military equipment. Quantities listed are ending quantities from the reporting period of January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023.
Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS / Drones)
Equipment Name and Model Quantity
DJI Inspire 1
DJI Matrice 210 1
DJI Mini 2 2
DJI Mavic Enterprise DUAL 2
DJI Mavic 2 Enterprise Advanced 1
DJI Mavic Pro M1P 1
Tactical Robot
Equipment Name and Model Quantity
Recon Robotics 1
Mobile Command Center (MCC)
Equipment Name and Model Quantity
2013 EVI Spartan Mobile Command Center 1
Breaching Shotguns
Equipment Name and Model Quantity
Remington 870 Police Magnum Shotgun 2
Richmond Police Department
Annual Military Equipment Use Report
Jan.1, 2023 – December 31, 2023
11 Shotgun Breaching Munitions
Equipment Name and Model Quantity
TESAR-2 / Model FE183 100 Rounds
TESAR – 1 / Model FE182 100 Rounds
Rifles
Equipment Name and Model Quantity
COLT M4 Carbine .223 50
COLT M16 A2E .223 (SWAT Only) 13
COLT Commando .223 (SWAT Only) 2
DPMS M-160 (SWAT Only) 5
COLT M16 A2 (SWAT Only) 2
COLT AR-15 Match Target Competition Rifle 8
H&K MP5 (SWAT / Decommissioned) 17
The Richmond SWAT Team maintains in its inventory special weapons for the purpose of providing tactical flexibility and effectively operating in a variety of situations. SWAT Tea m members shall maintain an acceptable level of proficiency with assigned weapons employed by the team. The SWAT Team will provide training and testing for all team members to ensure familiarity and proficiency with such weapon systems.
Rifle Ammunition
Equipment Name and Model Quantity
Gold Dot Soft Point 62 grain .223 10,000 Rounds
Federal Tactical Tru 168 grain .308 200 Rounds
Federal Tactical Bonded Tip 168 grain .308 200 Rounds
Diversionary Devices (Flash Bangs)
Equipment Name and Model Quantity
Defense Technology Model #8933 120
Chemical Agents and Smoke Canisters
Equipment Name and Model Quantity
Defense Tech SPEDE-HEAT – Pyro Burning CS Gas #1072 10 Canisters
Richmond Police Department
Annual Military Equipment Use Report
Jan.1, 2023 – December 31, 2023
12 Defense Tech HAN-BALL – Pyro Burning CS Gas #1092 20 Canisters Defense Tech Flameless Tri-Chamber – Pyro Internal CS Gas #1032 10 Canisters CTS Indoor 5230 B – Pyro Indoor Safe CS Gas #5230B 25 Canisters Defense Tech Aerosol Vapor – Non-Pyro OC Gas #1056 25 Canister Defense Tech Maximum Smoke – Pyro High Volume #1083 10 Canisters CTS 40mm Liquid Ferret Rounds – Non-Pyro CS gas Launchable Munition #4330 100 Rounds Defense Tech 40mm Direct Impact OC – Direct Impact OC Gas #6320 100 Rounds Pepperball Live Projectiles .2% PAVA 375 Rounds
40mm Launchers and Munitions
Equipment Name and Model Quantity
Penn Arms 40mm, 6-cylnder Pump Multi-Launcher 3
Penn Arms 40mm, single-shot launcher 7
Defense Tech 40mm Exact Impact Sponge Round #6325 60
Defense Tech 40mm Exact Impact (Marking) #6325-A 50
Federal Laboratories 37mm (Decommissioned) 2
Less Lethal Shotguns and Rounds
Equipment Name and Model Quantity
Remington Model 870, 12-guage Shotgun 17
Defense Tech 12-guage Bean Bag Drag Stabilized 200 Rounds CTS 12-guage Bean Bag Super-sock 250 Rounds
Chemical Shotgun
Equipment Name and Model Quantity
Remington Model 870, 12-guage Shotgun 2
Less Lethal Launcher
Equipment Name and Model Quantity
FN 303 4
Richmond Police Department
Annual Military Equipment Use Report
Jan.1, 2023 – December 31, 2023
13 MILITARY EQUIPMENT USE SUMMARY
This section outlines the military equipment Usage for January 1, 2023 – December 31, 2023 by the Richmond Police Department. Certain items of military equipment, particularly consumables (ammunition, diversionary devices, chemical agents, etc.) are used throughout the year on a regular basis for training in order to maintain proficiency. Training usage is NOT captured in this section. This section ONLY provides data for the OPERATIONAL USE of military equipment listed within this annual report. The mere possession of the equipment does not warrant its use for every incident.
The following is the data for military equipment usage by category for this reporting period:
1. UNMANNED AERIAL SYSTEMS (UAS / DRONES)
Unmanned Aerial Systems were utilized a total of 111 times during this reporting period.
Authorized usages:
Collect aerial photographic and video evidence in support of an investigation (e.g., crime scene documentation of shootings, homicides, officer-involved shootings). Support SWAT and patrol during high -risk, tactical, or other public safety life -preservation missions (e.g., interior visual assessments of structures or outdoor areas to gain intelligence prior to officers entering a dwelling or contacting a potentially armed, or resistive subject that may be hiding).
Conduct overwatch and intelligence gathering for investigative, specialty units, and SRT during critical incidents and investigations.
Assisting patrol with establishing overwatch during perimeter searches. Conduct aerial searches for at-risk and missing persons. Special events (e.g. outreach event)
2. TACTICAL ROBOT
The Tactical Robot was deployed/utilized 0 times during this reporting period.
3. ARMORED PERSONNEL CARRIER (RESCUE VEHICLE)
From January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2023, the Richmond Police Department utilized East Bay Regional’s BATT 9 times.
Authorized Usages:
Support SWAT during critical incidents and pre -planned operations by providing greater safety to community members and officers.
Higher degree of ballistic protection during high-risk operations The use of a rescue vehicle is extremely vital to ensure the communities safety and ensure mission success.
4. MOBILE COMMAND CENTER
The Mobile Command Center (MCC) was used a total of 8 times during this reporting period.
Authorized usages:
Serves as a command post for critical incidents during complex events
Richmond Police Department
Annual Military Equipment Use Report
Jan.1, 2023 – December 31, 2023
14 Special Events (RPD Connect, Cinco De Mayo, Juneteenth) DUI Checkpoint command post
5. BREACHING SHOTGUN
The Breaching shotguns (Remington 870) were utilized 2 times in 2023.
Authorized usages:
SWAT Team operations for High Risk warrant services
6. LESS LETHAL SHOTGUNS AND MUNITIONS
Less Lethal Beanbag shotguns (Remington 870) was used 1 time during this reporting period.
Authorized usages:
Confront armed person and the tactical circumstances allow for the safe application of approved munitions.
7. DIVERSIONARY DEVICES
Diversionary Devices (flashbangs) were utilized 38 times during this reporting period.
Authorized usages:
To facilitate high -risk entries during warrant services, enabling arrest and reducing the risk of injury by disorientation of potentially dangerous suspects and/or animals. Used as a distraction device during all incidents
8. RIFLES AND AMMUNITION
Rifles were utilized 2 times during this reporting period.
Authorized usages:
There is an objectively reasonable anticipation of an armed encounter. Used in accordance with California Penal Code § 835 and RPD PM 300.3.2
9. CHEMICAL AGENTS AND SMOKE CANISTERS
Chemical Agents and Smoke Canisters were used 0 times during this reporting period.
10. 40mm LAUNCHERS AND MUNITIONS
40mm Launchers were used by the Richmond Police Department 4 times during this period. Impact rounds (9)
OC rounds (4)
CS rounds (0)
Authorized usages:
Encountering an armed person with a weapon and the tactical circumstances allow for the safe application
There is probable cause to believe that the person has already committed a crime of violence and is refusing to comply with lawful orders.
11. PEPPERBALL LAUNCHERS AND PROJECTILES
Pepper-ball launchers and projectiles were used 0 times during this reporting period.
Richmond Police Department
Annual Military Equipment Use Report
Jan.1, 2023 – December 31, 2023
15 SUMMARY OF COMPLAINTS / CONCERNS
The Richmond Police Department is committed to responding to complaints, concerns and/or questions received in a timely manner. During this reporting period, there were 0 formal complaints.
The Richmond Police Department did not have any policy violations with the deployment or use of military equipment.
Pursuant to California Government Code §7070(d)(7), members of the public may register complaints or concerns or submit questions about the use of each specific type of military equipment in this policy by any of the following means:
1. Via email to: [email protected]
2. Via phone call to: 510-620-6675
3. Via mail sent to: Richmond Police Department, 1701 Regatta Blvd, Richmond, CA, 94801
Officer-Involved Shootings (OIS) and Discharge of Military Equipment Firearm:
There was 1 OIS incident during this reporting period that involved the use of military equipment:
June 28, 2023: A search warrant was authorized and served at 1293 Sanderling Island in Richmond by members of the Richmond Tactical Response Team (TRT). The search warrant was the culmination of several firearm brandishing reports taken by patrol, and hours of surveillance by Richmond Police Intelligence officers. The person suspected of brandishing a firearm was located and arrested for the related firearm warrant charges. On June 28th, a search warrant was authorized for the search of 1293 Sanderling Island. A clear knock and notice was given at the front door by TRT members and again inside the residence after entry was made.
During the service, a male subject was contacted inside in an upstairs bedroom. The subject pointed a loaded AR-15 rifle at TRT members. Two officers immediately discharged their duty rifles striking the male subject. The subject was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Subsequent search of the residence yields:
53 firearms (20 Rifles, 23 Pistols, 8 Revolvers, 2 Shotguns) Live hand-grenade
Over a thousand rounds of ammunition
Firearm manufacturing equipment
Richmond Police Department
Annual Military Equipment Use Report
Jan.1, 2023 – December 31, 2023
16 FISCAL IMPACT
The Richmond Police Department is budgeted for 145 sworn officers and 65 professional staff members. The operating budget for the police department for the FY2022-23 was $73,102,610. The chart below reflects the Richmond Police Department’s cost for Military Equipment during this reporting period.
Equipment Quantity Additional
Acquisitions
Annual Maintenance /
Replacement Cost Total Cost
1. UAS 8 $ 3,602 $ 2,000 $ 5,602
2. Mobile Command Center 1 $ - $ 196 $ 196
3. Tactical Robot 1 $ - $ - $ -
4. Breaching Shotguns 2 $ - $ 100 $ 100
5. Breaching Rounds 300 $ 2,000 $ 2,000
6. Rifles 80 $ - $ 100 $ 100
7. Rifle Ammunition 10,000 $ 29,547 $ 30,000 $ 59,547
8. Diversion Devices 200 $ - $ 5,000 $ 5,000
9. Chemical Agents $ - $ 2,000 $ 2,000
10. Beanbag Shotgun 17 $ - $ 100 $ 100
11. Direct Impact munitions 700 $ - $ 1,500 $ 1,500
12. Direct Impact Launchers 13 $ - $ 500 $ 500
The safe and proficient use of the equipment outlined by AB 481 requires countless hours of initial and on-going training as well as required certifications. Most training for department personnel is conducted internally by department personnel to ensure adherence to law and policy. There are times when department personnel are sent to external training courses to enhance and supplement internal trainings and to obtain train the trainer certifications.
Consumable and non-consumable equipment are used during training to ensure proficiency and competency during real-life emergencies. Funding sources for all internal and external training are reflected in the Richmond Police Department’s operations budget. https://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/183/Budget-Documents
Richmond Police Department
Annual Military Equipment Use Report
Jan.1, 2023 – December 31, 2023
17 CONCLUSION
This Military Equipment Report reaffirms the Richmond Police Department’s commitment to providing transparency and information to our communities and elected officials in addition to ensuring compliance with the law. The equipment, resources, and training outlined in this report allow Richmond Police Officers to better protect our communities, enhance the safety of the public and officers, and bring critical incidents to a safe resolution.
Public safety is and always has remained a shared responsibility. The strength of our Department is structured with the willingness of our communities to work in partnership with our officers to address crime in their neighborhoods. This shared partnership with the community and continued support has helped the COR be an example of community policing to not only the Bay Area, but to the entire Nation.
Since our founding in August of 1905, the Richmond Police Department has stood watch and protected our community with Pride & Purpose. Every day, first responders put their own lives on the line to ensure the community’s safety. It is vital that the City of Richmond ensures that our First Responders have the necessary tools, equipment, and training to protect the community they have sworn to serve.
Understanding law enforcement is a partnership between the police and community, we will continue to serve and do all we can to guard against harmful actions of a few individuals. The Richmond Police Department is proud to work in partnership with our diverse community to help solve problems, address root causes of crime and improve the quality of life in Richmond.
For more information on RPD Military Equipment visit:
https://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/4248/Assembly-Bill-AB-481---Military-Equipment