Policy 705 Attachment A - Military Equipment Inventory Page 1 of 5 Attachment A: MILITARY EQUIPMENT INVENTORY
The following constitutes a list of qualifying specialized equipment currently available for use by the Riverside Police Department , deemed to be “Military Equipment” under Section 7070 of the California Government Code:
Unmanned, Remotely -Piloted, Powered Vehicles (Govt Code 7070(c)(1)): Remotely- piloted machine operating on the ground or in the air (eg. aerial drones and robots), utilized to enhance the safety of community members and officers. • Indoor Drone: Utilized to scout inside structures using a day -night IR sensor camera.
Drones can locate barricaded suspects, or victims in need of rescue inside a residence or commercial structure.
• Robot: Small tracked remote control robot utilized to s cout areas which may not be safe for personnel. The robot can locate suspects barricaded, or victims in need of rescue inside a structure or open areas through the use of a camera. • Unmanned Aerial System (UAS): A law enforcement -specific application involv ing Aerial Drones which are used for open terrain or large field searches, and to assist in high-risk apprehensions of armed or violent suspects. Aerial drones are also used as an interior search tool to locate barricaded suspects, or victims in need of re scue inside a residence or commercial structure. UASs are also used to locate missing children, at-risk adults, and lost or injured hikers.
• Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) : A tracked , remotely- operated vehicle used to render safe and dispo se of hazardous or explosive devices . ROVs are also used in high-risk environments to increase safety for officers during barricaded subject incidents, and reconnaissance of hazardous circumstances. • Authorized Use: Only assigned operators who have completed the required training shall be permitted to operate the Unmanned, Remotely-Piloted, Powered Vehicles.
Use is established by the SWAT Commander and/or Incident Commander . UAS systems are operated by employees who have co mpleted the FAA Part 107 requirements.
Armored Vehicles (Govt Code 7070(c)(2)): Commercially-produced, wheeled armored personnel vehicles utilized for law enforcement purposes. • Armored Personnel Carrier: Ballistic engineered Armored Rescue Vehicle. Utilized during high-risk tactical enforcement operations, officer rescues, civilian rescues, and vehicle-borne intervention. Additional deployments are used during criminal unrest and riots. Rescue vehicles provide ballistic safety during contain ment and apprehension of armed violent suspects, to include active shooters and hostage rescue. Rescue vehicles provide numerous safety capabilities for law enforcement, victim rescues, and overall community safety. The Armored Rescue Vehicle is also four-wheel drive and may be deployed in a natural disaster for medical aid or community rescue missions.
• Authorized Use: The use of armored vehicles shall only be authorized by a watch commander or SWAT commander, based on the specific circumstances of a giv en critical incident. Armored vehicles shall be used only by officers trained in their deployment and in a manner consistent with Department policy and training.
Policy 705 Attachment A - Military Equipment Inventory Page 2 of 5 Tracked Vehicles and Vehicles with Breaching or Entry Apparatus Attachable (Govt Code 7070(c)(3): Vehicles which have attachable metal booms that can be used for breaching structures, fences, or ramming objects during high -risks incidents, to include active shooter incidents on school grounds or commercial buildings which are often difficult to breach.
• Certain department vehicles, including the Armored Personnel Carrier (listed above) have the ability to attach a breaching apparatus.
• TAC-CAT
: A tracked, bullet-resistant Caterpillar tractor, driven and deployed during high-risk tactical operations. It has various hydraulic boom attachments including a claw, chemical agent dispersal box, and ram extension. It offers the ability to safely breach reinforced structures to locate and apprehend barricaded suspects, and rescue victims.
• Authorized Use: The use of tracked vehicles or vehicle-mounted breaching apparatus shall only be authorized by an incident commander or SWAT commander, based on the specific circumstances of a given critical incident. They shall be used only by employees trained in their deployment and in a manner consistent with Department policy and training.
Command and Control Vehicles Built or M odified to Facilitate the Operational Control and Direction of Public Safety (Govt Code 7070 (c)(5)): Command and control vehicles are built in various platforms to include half ton pickup chassis, SUV, van, trailers, and RV style configurations. They are designed with additional communication abilities, computers, white boards, lighting, generators, and critical supplies.
These vehicles are built to serve as mobile command posts for coordination of police, fire, and medical response during law enforcement operations, fires, natural disasters, mutual aid incidents and other public safety incidents
Battering Rams, Slugs, and B reaching Apparatuses that are Explosive in N ature (Govt.
Code 7070(c)(7)): Specialized devices, which are designed to quickly breach doors and other points of entry for locating and apprehending barricaded suspects, rescuing victims, or gaining entry to fortified structures during emergency circumstances. • Breaching Shotgun
: A short -barreled shotgun which fires frangible shotgun ammunition. Utilized to breach doors and points of entry on fortified doors and structures. The specialized rounds are used to impac t doorknobs, hinges, and locks.
Breaching shotguns are a quick and effective breaching tool to aid in the immediate entry into a location for hostage rescue or other immediate response needs. • Kinetic Breaching Tool (KBT): The KBT utilizes a proprietary .45 Caliber handgun blank to deliver force through a hardened steel ram. Unlike explosive or shotgun breaching, all the force is mechanically driven through a ram. This means that no projectile leaves the device. The ramming surface is narrow enough to focus on a single hinge, yet powerful enough to breach steel security doors. The tool is operated by a single user and utilized to breach heavily fortified doors by compromising doorknobs, hinges, and locks. The KBT is especially effective for breaching heavy commercial doors of the Policy 705 Attachment A - Military Equipment Inventory Page 3 of 5 kind found in schools and other industrial applications, for example during an active shooter incident or other emergency.
• Authorized Use: The use of these breaching apparatus shall only be authorized by an incident commander or SWAT commander, based on the specific circumstances of a given critical incident. They shall be used only by employees trained in their use, and in a manner consistent with Department policy and training.
• Specialized Firearms and Ammunition, including Assault Weapons Defined Under PC 30510 & PC 30515 (Govt Code 7070(c)(10)): The weapons listed below are included on this inventory in the interest of transparency, however, they are exempt under Govt’s Code 7070 as “standard issue service weapons”:
• AR-style Rifles: Light weight, magazine fed, gas operated semi -automatic rifle using
5.56mm/.223cal ammunition are authorized for use by trained officers. Fully - automatic rifles are only assigned to trained SWAT personnel. The Rifle is utilized for increased accuracy and precision shooting at longer distances. • MP5 Submachine Gun : Magazine fed, semi, or auto fire pistol, which fires 9mm handgun ammunition. This weapon is only assigned to trained SWAT personnel. An MP5 is utilized for increased accuracy and precision shooting at longer distances. • Authorized Use: The carrying and use of these weapons shall only be by employees trained in their use, and in a manner consistent with Department policy and training.
“Flashbang” Grenades and Explosive Breaching Tools (Govt Code 7070(c)(12)):
• Light Sound Diversionary Device (LSDD, “Flashbang”) : Diversionary devices used to minimize risk to all parties through the temporary distraction or disorientation of armed and violent suspects who pose a significant danger to officers and the community.
The effects of an LSDD reduce a suspect’s reactionary capabilities by causing momentary disorientation , which can create a tactical advantage for involved officers. LSDD’s are hand delivered, sight deployed, and generally deployed on the exterior of structures. LSDD’s can be utilized to humanely deter aggressive dogs who pose a threat to officers or to attempt to illicit a response from suspects who may have barricaded in a structure or vehicle. Other examples include waking up a sleeping suspect, or prompting a suspect to communicate with officers. • Explosive Breaching Tools: Tools utilized to breach fortified structures to establish a point of entry. Explosive charges are fashioned to produce little to no fragmentation at the time of detonation. Explosive breaching effectively reduces the time spent overcoming a fortified door or structure. The reduction in time mitigating a hardened structure increases an officer’s safety and the element of surprise. Blast injuries are reduced by using low yield explosives that mechanically overcome door frames and locking mechanisms. The use of explosive breaching requires extensive schooling and certification processes. Explosive breaching is highly successful and allows officers entry into a structure for immediate rescue of victims/hostages or other immediate entry needs.
Policy 705 Attachment A - Military Equipment Inventory Page 4 of 5 • Authorized Use: The use of these devices shall only be authorized by an incident commander or SWAT commander, based on the specific circumstances of a given critical incident. They shall be used only by employees trained in their use, and in a manner consistent with Department policy and training.
“Tear Gas” and “Pepper balls” (Govt Code 7070(c)(12)):
• Chemical Agents: Chlorobenzalmalononnitrile (CS) rapidly produces sensory irritation or disabling effects in humans, which typically disappear within a short time following termination of exposure. CS can be deployed through various means to include hand delivery and weapon launchable, such as 40mm and shotgun. Hand delivered chemical agents are typically delivered in a “burn safe” metal container to reduce fire hazard. CS is typically used during incidents where a suspect is barricaded in a structure or vehicle and is believed to be armed. CS may also be used in riot incidents to prevent violence and destruction of property. The discomfort caused by the chemical agent will typically cause the suspect to exit a structure or vehicle or dissuade a suspect from remaining in the area of the chemical agent, thus resulting in safer compliance.
• Pepper Ball: Oleoresin capsicum powder is incased in a plastic ball-shaped projectile which is propelled from a launche r powered by compressed air . The effects of a pepper ball are similar to the effects of pepper spray , typically characterized by temporary irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat . Discomfort may also be experienced at the point of impact. Pepper ball systems may be used in a variety of situations, including barricaded suspects, suspects exhibiting violent behavior, and instances of riotous or criminal behavior by suspects in a group. The use of pepper ball systems can be effective in stopping violent actions of a suspect on officers or members of the community.
• Authorized Use: The use of Tear Gas and PepperBall Systems shall only be authorized by an incident commander or SWAT commander, based on the specific circumstances of a given critical incident. They shall be used only by employees trained in their use, and in a manner consistent with Department policy and training.
Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD) (Govt Code 7070(c)(13)): An acoustic device used for emitting amplified public announcements during warrant services, barricaded suspects, civil disturbances, or tactical operations. The loud audible technology ensures broadcasted announcements are loud and clear while offering advantages over less amplified patrol PA systems. The LRAD may be used for public announcements or safety advisements during natural disasters, evacuations or dispersal orders. The LRAD is portable and can be used for criminal unrest and rioting to provide clear dispersal orders for unlawful assembly. The LRAD can also be used as the announcement system during tactical operations, such as barricaded suspects or hostage situations. The amplified sound would allow louder and clearer announcements to ensure the occupants can hear them.
Policy 705 Attachment A - Military Equipment Inventory Page 5 of 5
40mm Projectile Launchers, “Bean Bag”,” Rubber Bullet, and Specialty Impact Munitions (Govt Code 7070(c)(14):
• Less-lethal 40mm Launcher: Munitions are configured for high and low impact.
Munitions have the additional benefit as a barrier -round for breaking vehicle and residential glass so chemical agents can be deployed ; these options include the Direct Impact OC and CS rounds, as well as the CS Ferret round. Wood baton rounds are typically utilized for breaking out glass. 40mm less lethal Exact Impact Sponge (Foam) rounds can be effective in disarming violent suspects, armed suspects, and subjects who are suicidal with minimal injury and risk to the person, law enforcement or the public.
• 12 gauge Less-lethal Shotgun: Utilized through a n easily identifiable, less lethal shotgun with distinctive orange markings . The “bean bag” round is a small drag - stabilized; pellet-filled munition made of high -density cloth. The “bean bag” is the predecessor to the 40mm less lethal , which has similar benefits as other less lethal platforms.
• Sting ball Grenade: Hand-deployed to deliver small rubber projectiles in no specific direction. Infrequently used an d deployed; however, may be used on violent combative subjects, or against suspects during hostage rescue scenarios. Sting balls may be used in large -scale riotous behavior to prevent destruction of property or injury to the public.
• Authorized Use: The c arrying and use of these weapon systems shall only be by employees trained in their use, and in a manner consistent with Department policy and training.