City Council
259 N. Wilma Avenue
Ripon, CA 95366
MEMO
To: Honorable City Council
From: Daniel Sauer, Chief of Police
Date: 07/08/2025
Subject: Annual Military Equipment Report
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Accept the City’s annual military equipment report for the year ending June 30, 2025.
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.
In September 2024, the Ripon Police Department acquired two new Pepperball Launchers to replace four units that are no longer in service. With this purchase, the department now has three fully operational Pepperball Launchers available for use.
DISCUSSION:
The Ripon Police Department respectfully requests that the Council approve the proposed revisions to Article #8 (see attached document), authorize the addition of two new Pepperball Launchers, and approve the removal of four units that are no longer in service due to disrepair.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.
Attachments:
1. Annual Military Equipment Report (2024-25)