Safety, Wellness, and Youth Committee
September 16, 2026

9/2/2026
1 RPDonline.org
TYPE OF MEETINGMONTH __, 20__
ANNUAL REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF RPD’S MILITARY EQUIPMENT USE POLICY Safety, Wellness, & Youth CommitteeSeptember 16, 2026 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 whether equipment was ever used by the US Military or not•Requires a “Military Equipment Use Policy” be adopted by the City Council (Introduced 4-26-2022; Adopted 5-10-2022)•An annual review and approval of the policy is required at a public meeting.LEGISLATIVE BACKGROUND 9/2/2026
2 RPDonline.org•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•May 10, 2022 - City Council adopted Ordinance No. 7586•City Council Reviewed and Approvedthe RPD Military Equipment Policyon the following dates: (August 15, 2023, September 17, 2024, & October 28, 2025)BACKGROUND 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•Military Equipment Policy has not changed since approval with exception of updates to fiscal impact and inventoryRPD MILITARY EQUIPMENT POLICY 705 9/2/2026
3 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.orgMilitary Equipment Annual Report per RMC Chapter 2.70Summary of equipment purpose and use can be found in Policy Attachment A: Military Equipment InventoryDepartment received no complaints or concerns regarding Military Equipment Department observed no violations of Military Equipment PolicyFY 25-26 costs can be found in Policy Attachments B: Military Equipment Fiscal Impact FY26-27 costs, if any, will be funded with existing Department budget Equipment quantities can be found in Policy Attachment B: Military Equipment Fiscal Impact RPD purchased 7 additional unmanned aerial systems/drones and 8 rifles. No other equipment is planned for purchase at this timeRPD MILITARY EQUIPMENT POLICY 705 9/2/2026
4 RPDonline.orgThe 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-equipmentRPD MILITARY EQUIPMENT POLICY 705 RPDonline.orgThat the City Council:1. Approve the Riverside Police Department Military EquipmentPolicy for the approval, acquisition, deployment, andreporting requirements of specialized law enforcementequipment classified under the California Government Codeas “military equipment”; and2. Authorize the Department to send a copy of the RiversidePolice Department Military Equipment Policy to theGovernor’s Office in accordance with Assembly Bill 481.RECOMMENDATIONS