Reso. No. ##-##
RESOLUTION NO. ___-26
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND APPROVING THE 2025 MILITARY EQUIPMENT ANNUAL REPORT, MAKING THE FINDINGS REQUIRED BY GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 7071(d), AND
AUTHORIZING THE CONTINUED USE OF MILITARY EQUIPMENT BY THE
RICHMOND POLICE DEPARTMENT
WHEREAS, Assembly Bill 481 (“AB 481”), codified at Government Code sections 7070 through 7075, requires law enforcement agencies to obtain approval from the governing body before seeking funds for, acquiring, or using military equipment, and requires annual review of the military equipment use policy and annual military equipment report; and WHEREAS, on October 19, 2022, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 12-22 N.S., approving the Richmond Police Department Military Equipment Use Policy pursuant to Government Code section 7071; and
WHEREAS, Government Code section 7072 requires the Richmond Police Department to submit an annual military equipment report to the City Council for each type of military equipment approved by the City Council and to make that report publicly available on the Department’s website for as long as the equipment is available for use; and WHEREAS, the Richmond Police Department prepared and publicly released its 2025 Annual Military Equipment Use Report covering the period of January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025; and
WHEREAS, the 2025 Annual Military Equipment Use Report includes information regarding the inventory, use, purpose, training, legal and procedural safeguards, complaints, fiscal impacts, and proposed acquisitions relating to military equipment maintained or used by the Richmond Police Department, including information requested by the City Council during the prior annual review process; and
WHEREAS, the Richmond Police Department conducted a community engagement meeting regarding the annual report as required by Government Code section 7072(b); and WHEREAS, the City Council has reviewed the Military Equipment Use Policy, the 2025 Annual Military Equipment Use Report, and all public testimony and information presented regarding the military equipment identified in the report; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Government Code section 7071(d), the City Council is required to determine whether each type of military equipment identified in the policy complies with the standards set forth in Government Code section 7071(d)(1) through (4).
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Richmond as follows:
Section 1. Recitals.
The foregoing recitals are true and correct and are incorporated herein by this reference.
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Section 2. Approval of Annual Report.
The City Council hereby receives, reviews, and approves the Richmond Police Department 2025 Annual Military Equipment Use Report.
Section 3. Findings Pursuant to Government Code Section 7071(d).
The City Council finds, based on the evidence presented, that:
1. The military equipment identified in the Richmond Police Department Military Equipment Use Policy is necessary because there is no reasonable alternative that can achieve the same objective of officer and public safety;
2. The proposed use of the military equipment will safeguard the public’s welfare, safety, civil rights, and civil liberties;
3. The purchase, use, and funding of the military equipment is reasonably cost effective compared to available alternatives that can achieve the same objective of officer and public safety; and
4. The Richmond Police Department has complied with the standards for approval set forth in Government Code section 7071(d).
Section 4. Continued Authorization.
The City Council hereby authorizes the continued use of the military equipment identified in the Richmond Police Department Military Equipment Use Policy and the 2025 Annual Military Equipment Use Report, subject to continued compliance with Government Code sections 7070 through 7075, Department policy, and applicable law.
Section 5. Policy Updates.
The City Council acknowledges and approves the policy updates identified in the 2025 Annual Military Equipment Use Report, including the amendments relating to coordination with other jurisdictions and armored rescue vehicles, and revisions to Unmanned Aerial System operations policies, subject to final review and implementation by the Chief of Police and City Attorney.
Section 6. CEQA.
The City Council finds that this action is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378 because it constitutes an administrative and governmental activity that will not result in a direct or indirect physical change in the environment. In the alternative, the action is exempt under the common sense exemption set forth in CEQA Guidelines section 15061(b)(3).
Section 7. Effective Date.
This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption.
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PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Richmond at a regular meeting held on ____________, 2026, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
MAYOR
ATTEST:
CITY CLERK
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
CITY ATTORNEY
State of California }
County of Contra Costa : ss.
City of Richmond }
I certify that the foregoing is a true copy of Resolution No. _____, finally passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Richmond at a regular meeting held on MMDDYYYY.
_______________________________________
Pamela Christian, Clerk of the City of Richmond