City Council
259 N. Wilma Avenue
Ripon, CA 95366
MEMO
To: Honorable City Council
From: Daniel Sauer, Chief of Police
Date: 07/09/2024
Subject: Annual Military Equipment Report
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Accept the City’s annual military equipment report for the year ending June 30, 2024.
BACKGROUND:
On September 9, 2021 the California Legislature passed Assembly Bill 481. The bill was then approved by Governor Newsom on September 30, 2021. AB 481 requires a law enforcement agency to obtain approval of the applicable governing body, by adoption of a military equipment use policy, as specified, by ordinance at a regular meeting held pursuant to specified open meeting laws, prior to taking certain actions relating to the funding, acquisition, or use of military equipment. The bill also requires similar approval for the continued use of military equipment acquired prior to January 1, 2022. 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 bill requires the governing body to annually review the ordinance and to either disapprove a renewal of the authorization for a type of military equipment or amend the military equipment use policy if it determines that the military equipment does not comply with the above-described standards for approval. The bill does not preclude a county or local municipality from implementing additional requirements and standards related to the purchase, use, and reporting of military equipment by local law enforcement agencies.
Assembly Bill 481 also requires an agency to create a military equipment use policy before engaging in certain activities, publish the policy on the agency’s internet website, and provide a copy of the policy to the Governor or the Governor’s designee.
At the July 12, 2022 City Council meeting the Council approved the City’s Military Equipment Policy. Per Section 708.7 ”Annual Report” upon approval of a military equipment policy, the Chief of Police or the authorized designee should submit a military equipment report to the governing body for each type of military equipment approved within one year of approval, and annually thereafter for as long as the military equipment is available for use. The Ripon Police Department is requesting a revision to the military equipment list.
At the December 12, 2023 City Council meeting, the Council approved a donation to be used for the purchase of a Parrot Anafi USA Drone. This was to replace (2) drones that were purchased in 2017 and were in need of replacement. It should be noted, a drone which was purchased in 2019 is still operational.
In January, 2024, the Ripon Police Department purchased the Parrot Anafi USA Drone with the donated funds. With the purchase of this equipment, the Unmanned Aerial System Program is equipped with two operational drones.
DISCUSSION:
The Ripon Police Department is requesting the Council accept the addition of Article #12 (refer to attachment), a Parrot Anafi USA Drone, to the military equipment list and the removal of (2) DJI Inspire Drones that are no longer operational due to end of life technology and being damaged beyond repair.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.
Attachments:
1. Annual Military Equipment Report (2023-24)