8/3/2023
1 RPDonline.org
TYPE OF MEETING
MONTH __, 20__
ANNUAL REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF
RPD’S MILITARY EQUIPMENT POLICY
City Council
August 15, 2023
RPDonline.org
• CA Governor signed AB 481 in September 2021, became
effective January 1, 2022.
• Classifies certain Law Enforcement Equipment as
“Military Equipment,” requiring City Council oversight. • Doesn’t matter whether equipment was ever used by
the US Military or acquired from the Federal
Government.
LEGISLATIVE BACKGROUND
1 2
8/3/2023
2 RPDonline.org
• AB 481 requires a public hearing to receive community input, and to adopt the Police Department’s military
equipment policy by an ordinance before acquiring
new or continuing to use previously-acquired equipment
• Each year thereafter, the policy must be reviewed and re-approved by the City Council.
LEGISLATIVE BACKGROUND
RPDonline.org
• On April 20, 2022, Safety, Wellness, and Youth Committee unanimously recommended that City Council adopt the
proposed Ordinance regarding adoption of RPD Military
Equipment Policy
• On April 26, 2022, City Council called a hearing and introduced Ordinance 7586 adding Chapter 2.70 to the RMC related to adoption of RPD Military Equipment Policy in accordance with AB 481 and CA Gov. Code Sections 7070 through 7075
• On May 10, 2022, City Council adopted Ordinance No. 7586
BACKGROUND
3 4
8/3/2023
3 RPDonline.org
• Military Equipment Policy: governs the use of equipment described in CA Government Code 7070, such as:
- Aerial drones
- Less-lethal weapon systems
- Mobile command posts
- Bomb-disposal robots
- Search and rescue equipment
• Policy has not changed since initial approval in 2022 • No additional equipment has been added to inventory
RPD MILITARY EQUIPMENT POLICY 705
RPDonline.org
The following can be found on the City of Riverside
Website as required by AB 481:
• Riverside Police Department Policy 705
• Riverside Police Department Military Equipment Inventory • Riverside Police Department Military Equipment Fiscal Impact
https://www.riversideca.gov/rpd/military-equipment
RPD MILITARY EQUIPMENT POLICY 705
5 6
8/3/2023
4 RPDonline.org
• Preserve human life
• Search and rescue operations
• Rapid response to critical incidents
• High-risk apprehensions
• Hostage and victim rescue
• Safe and effective de-escalation tactics
• Less lethal use of force options
• Reduced likelihood of injury or death to officers/ public.
EQUIPMENT PURPOSE
RPDonline.org
• A determination that:
– Specialized Law Enforcement Equipment, classified as Military Equipment, is necessary because there is no reasonable
alternative to achieve objective of officer and civilian safety. – The Department’s policy will safeguard the public’s welfare, safety, civil rights, and civil liberties.
– The equipment is reasonably cost-effective compared to available alternatives that can achieve the same objective. – Existing equipment complies with the Department’s use policy, and if not, corrective action has been taken.
NECESSARY FINDINGS - GOVT CODE 7071(D)(1):
7 8
8/3/2023
5 RPDonline.org
That City Council:
1. Conduct a Public Hearing on the Riverside Police Department Military Equipment Use Policy and find that (i) the listed equipment is necessary because there is no reasonable alternative that can achieve the same objectives of officer and civilian safety; (ii) the proposed military equipment policy will safeguard the pub lic’s welfare, safety, civil rights, and civil liberties; (iii) if purchasing the equipment, the equipment is reasonably cost-effective compared to available alternatives that could achieve the same objectives; (iv) prior military equipment use complied with the military equipment policy that was in effect at the time, or if prior uses did not comply with the accompanying military equipment use policy, corrective action has been taken to remedy nonconforming uses and ensure future compliance; and
RECOMMENDATIONS
RPDonline.org
2. Approve the Riverside Police Department Military Equipment Use Policy for the acquisition and deployment of law enforcement equipment at the close of the public hearing and authorize the Department to send a copy of the policy to the Governor’s Office in accordance with Assembly Bill 481.
RECOMMENDATIONS (cont’d)
9 10