August 26, 2025
Police Department
DATE: August 26, 2025
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Bisa French, Chief of Police
Subject:
Approve the Purchase of Additional 40-millimeter Impact Munition Devices from Arms Unlimited
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The proposed expenditure of $13,818.27, which includes sales tax and a 5 percent contingency for shipping, is
included in the Richmond Police Department’s approved
Fiscal Year 2025-2026 budget (Account String
01192021-400603).
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
None.
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
The Richmond Police Department currently deploys
seven 40-millimeter single-shot impact munition devices across patrol teams and Special Response Teams
(SRT). This quantity is insufficient to ensure consistent availability for field use and training. The Department seeks to increase the number of devices so that each
patrol and SRT unit has access to a minimum of four
operational units. This will mitigate service interruptions caused by maintenance cycles and enhance operational
readiness and safety.
AGENDA
REPORT
August 26, 2025
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Approve the purchase of additional 40-millimeter impact munition devices from Arms Unlimited in an amount not
to exceed $13,818.27, which includes sales tax and a 5
percent contingency for shipping – Police Department
(Chief Bisa French 510-621-1802).
DISCUSSION:
The Richmond Police Department (RPD) has found 40-millimeter impact munition devices to be a valuable less-lethal option in safely resolving critical incidents such as armed confrontations, barricaded suspects and other high-risk situations. These devices provide officers with an effective intermediate force option that helps de- escalate threats and preserve life.
Currently, RPD has seven (7) 40-millimeter devices in service, five (5) in Patrol and two (2) with the Special Response Team (SRT). This limited number creates operational gaps, especially when units are out of service for maintenance or assigned to training exercises.
The Department’s goal is to provide each patrol team and SRT unit with four dedicated devices, ensuring consistent access for both operational deployment and training.
Increasing the inventory supports improved readiness, reduces the risk of over-reliance on lethal force and ensures compliance with modern best practices in use-of-force protocols.
Following RPD staff soliciting quotes from various vendors the purchase quote of $13,160.25 was received from Arms Unlimited which included tax at the local rate of
9.75 percent. Although a shipping rate was included, shipping cost will be finalized upon shipment and therefore RPD staff has added a 5 percent contingency for shipping; City staff is requesting a payment limit of $13,818.27. This purchase is included in the current Fiscal Year’s 2025-2026 budget and aligns with equipment plans included in the 2024 Annual Military Equipment Report previously adopted by Council.
Importance of Less-Lethal Munitions
Less-lethal munitions, specifically 40-millimeter impact devices, play a crucial role in modern law enforcement by providing officers with an alternative means of managing high-risk situations. These tools are designed to incapacitate a suspect temporarily with minimal risk of long-term injury, offering a valuable option between verbal commands and the use of lethal force.
The ability to deploy less-lethal impact munitions allows officers to:
1. De-escalate Situations: When faced with a volatile or aggressive individual, less-lethal impact munitions can be used to control the situation without resorting to lethal force. The impact from these munitions can neutralize immediate threats, giving officers the opportunity to resolve the situation peacefully.
August 26, 2025
2. Safeguard Lives: By providing a less lethal means of response, these munitions help preserve lives—both those of suspects and officers. They are particularly effective in situations where suspects may be armed but not immediately posing a lethal threat.
3. Reduce Force Escalation: The availability of less-lethal options helps prevent situations from escalating to a point where lethal force might otherwise be necessary. This approach aligns with best practices in law enforcement and reflects a commitment to using force proportionately.
4. Enhance Training and Readiness: Having sufficient less-lethal munitions ensures that all patrol teams and SRT units are well-equipped for training exercises, thereby improving their readiness for real-life scenarios. Effective training with these devices enhances officers' ability to deploy them appropriately and confidently in the field.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Arms Unlimited Quote