CONSENT CALENDAR
City of San Bernardino
Request for Council Action
Date: May 7, 2025
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
From: Bill Gallardo, Interim City Manager;
Darren Goodman, Chief of Police
Department: Police
Subject: City of San Bernardino Police Department Annual Assembly Bill 481 Military Equipment Usage Report (All
Wards)
Recommendation:
It is recommended that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino, California:
1. Receive and file the Department’s annual military equipment use report; and
2. Approve the Department’s request to acquire additional life-saving equipment in accordance with Assembly Bill 481.
Executive Summary
Assembly Bill 481 requires all law enforcement agencies in the State of California to submit an annual report to their respective governing bodies. This report must detail the agency’s current use of military equipment and identify any additional equipment the agency plans to acquire. The intent of the legislation is to promote transparency, oversight, and accountability in the acquisition and deployment of equipment defined as “military equipment” under the law.
Background
Assembly Bill 481, enacted in January 2022, was designed to enhance transparency, accountability, and oversight regarding the acquisition and use of military equipment by state and local law enforcement agencies. The legislation requires these agencies to obtain approval from their governing legislative bodies before purchasing, fundraising for, or acquiring military equipment by any means. Additionally, agencies must obtain approval from their governing bodies before collaborating with other law enforcement entities in the deployment or use of military equipment within their jurisdiction or before utilizing any new or existing equipment that has not been previously authorized. The first reading of Ordinance No. MC-1579 occurred on May 4, 2022. This Ordinance was created to adopt Police Department Policy 705 (Military Equipment Policy) in accordance with Assembly Bill 481. The Ordinance was adopted on May 18, 2022. A component of AB 481 requires law enforcement agencies to submit annual reports to their governing bodies regarding their use of the military equipment, any complaints received, any internal audits or other information about violations of the military equipment use policy, the cost, and other similar information.
Discussion
The attached annual report provides a comprehensive summary of all military equipment used over the past year, including associated costs, purposes for deployment, and current inventory. The report begins with an annual overview, followed by a month-by-month breakdown. In addition to submitting the report, the Department is seeking approval to purchase additional drones, robots, and ballistic panels for a currently owned city vehicle. Because this equipment is classified as military equipment under Assembly Bill 481, the Department is required to obtain formal approval from its governing body prior to initiating the procurement process.
Law enforcement incidents are often unpredictable and complex, requiring officers to respond swiftly and effectively to evolving threats. To help de-escalate tense and potentially violent situations, officers rely on specialized equipment, tools, and resources. These measures are intended to minimize the risk of harm to community members, individuals involved in the incident, and responding officers, while improving the likelihood of a safe and constructive resolution. Equipment classified as “military equipment” under Assembly Bill 481 includes but is not limited to, unmanned aerial vehicles (drones), unmanned ground vehicles (robotics), armored personnel carriers, less-lethal projectile launchers, and distraction devices. These tools have been field- tested and are widely regarded as best practices for promoting public and officer safety while reducing the need for escalation. Their use is common among law enforcement agencies across the United States.
The San Bernardino Police Department ("Department") has determined that the use of these specialized tools is essential to achieving its goals of community safety and officer protection. After thorough evaluation, the Department has not identified any reasonable alternatives that offer the same level of effectiveness and protection. The deployment of this equipment is considered critical to the safe and successful resolution of high-risk and volatile situations. By leveraging the latest available technology, officers are better equipped to reduce the risk of harm to all parties involved. The Department remains firmly committed to utilizing equipment that enhances public safety while minimizing the potential for incidents to escalate into encounters involving lethal force.
Looking ahead, the Department plans to acquire the following additional items classified as military equipment under Assembly Bill 481:
- Additional Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (drones)
- Additional Unmanned Ground Vehicles (robotics)
- Outfitting an existing City-owned vehicle with ballistic protection - Purchasing explosive breaching equipment for trained SWAT team members These acquisitions are intended to enhance the Department’s operational capabilities in managing critical incidents, improving situational awareness, and ensuring the safety of both the community and responding officers.
As drone and robotics technology continues to advance, law enforcement agencies around the world are expanding their use to save lives, improve officer safety, and support investigative operations. The San Bernardino Police Department currently maintains an inventory of drones and robotics; however, due to ongoing technological developments, these systems require regular software updates and replacement parts to remain functional. Several existing drones must be replaced because of software and hardware incompatibilities, as well as the unavailability of discontinued components, while others have reached the end of their service life.
Drones have become indispensable tools in a wide range of law enforcement applications, including traffic collision reconstruction, tactical reconnaissance, hostage and barricade situations, forensic investigations, patrol operations, tethered surveillance, and traffic flow analysis. One of their most significant advantages is the ability to rapidly and accurately document crash scenes, producing detailed, three- dimensional models in a fraction of the time required by traditional methods. This not only enhances the quality of evidence but also leads to considerable cost savings by reducing investigative time. Drone use improves officer safety by allowing investigations to be conducted from secure locations, away from active roadways or hazardous environments. This reduces the need for secondary safety officers and minimizes exposure to potential harm.
Patrol-deployed drones can be easily stored in the trunk of police vehicles and rapidly deployed at incident scenes to provide real-time situational awareness. These drones can assist in locating suspects, identifying weapons, and detecting other hazards. They are particularly valuable during K9 deployments, enhancing safety for both the handler and the dog. As technology continues to evolve, drones and robotics are becoming vital components in nearly all aspects of emergency response, delivering both increased operational effectiveness and enhanced safety. In the face of staffing shortages and increasing threats to law enforcement personnel, drones serve as essential tools for protecting both the community and officers.
Robotics similarly offer significant advantages for modern policing. Their primary benefit lies in the increased safety they provide by performing tasks that are too hazardous for officers. Robots can be deployed to clear locations where armed suspects may be present, enter buildings suspected of containing explosive devices, or operate in environments contaminated with toxic substances.
Additionally, robotics enhance operational efficiency. They can be programmed to perform routine or repetitive tasks, allowing officers to focus on complex duties requiring human judgment and decision-making. The use of robotics in high-risk scenarios also helps reduce legal and financial liability by minimizing the risk of injury or fatalities to officers and civilians alike.
Armored Personnel Carriers/Rescue Vehicles offer significant advantages for law enforcement agencies across a range of operational contexts:
1. Enhanced Officer Safety: APCs/Rescue Vehicles provide critical protection during high-risk operations involving armed suspects, hostage situations, or terrorist threats. Built to withstand gunfire and other forms of attack, these vehicles help reduce the risk of injury or death to officers in hostile environments.
2. Improved Tactical Response: These vehicles allow officers to safely and efficiently approach dangerous scenes, such as active shooter incidents or areas requiring civilian evacuation. Their protective capabilities are essential for swift, coordinated, and secure responses in rapidly evolving situations.
3. Operational Mobility and Tactical Advantage: APCs/Rescue Vehicles serve as mobile platforms that can support perimeter control, crowd management, and safe officer deployment. Their design enables law enforcement to navigate challenging terrain and maintain strategic positioning in high-threat environments.
4. Support for Rescue Operations: Beyond tactical use, these vehicles are invaluable during natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, and fires. Their durability and off- road capability allow them to reach stranded individuals, transport emergency supplies, and navigate hazardous conditions where standard vehicles cannot operate.
5. Deterrent Presence: The visible presence of an armored vehicle can serve as a powerful deterrent, signaling a robust law enforcement response. This can de-escalate potentially volatile situations before they intensify.
6. Multi-Purpose Capability: Modern APCs/Rescue Vehicles are often equipped with advanced communication systems and can be adapted for use in various scenarios from disaster response to large-scale public events, enhancing situational coordination and overall public safety infrastructure.
Explosive Breaching Capability for SBPD Tactical Unit (SWAT):
Explosive breaching is a specialized tactical technique used by law enforcement agencies to gain rapid and controlled access to fortified structures during high-risk operations such as hostage rescues, barricaded suspect incidents, or warrant services involving armed individuals. This method relies on the precise application of small, purpose-designed explosive charges, commonly known as "push charges," to defeat barriers like reinforced doors, walls, or gates that cannot be safely or efficiently breached using mechanical or ballistic methods. These charges are carefully engineered to apply only the necessary force to defeat the barrier, minimizing structural damage and reducing the risk to occupants and officers alike.
Integrating explosive breaching capabilities into the Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT) significantly enhances operational readiness and community safety. In critical incidents where time is a determining factor, such as active shooter scenarios or hostage situations, delayed entry due to fortified access points can result in preventable loss of life. Explosive breaching offers a decisive tactical advantage by enabling officers to enter swiftly and securely, resolve threats more efficiently, and reduce the likelihood of prolonged standoffs. The method’s speed and precision often lead to increased suspect compliance and faster de-escalation.
This capability is widely adopted by municipal tactical teams across the country.
Regional law enforcement agencies such as the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, Chino Police Department, Murrieta Police Department, and others with certified SWAT units incorporate explosive breaching as a standard operational tool, governed by strict safety protocols. Explosive breaching is recognized as a controlled and effective method to safely overcome physical barriers during time-sensitive operations.
The San Bernardino Police Department is fully committed to the responsible and disciplined use of explosive breaching. Only SWAT personnel who have completed extensive, formal training and certification are authorized to handle and deploy these tools, and only under the direct supervision of the SBPD SWAT Commander. Their training includes charge construction, placement techniques, safety procedures, blast effect assessments, and post-breach tactics. This instruction is reinforced through ongoing scenario-based exercises designed to maintain skill proficiency and ensure alignment with national best practices. The addition of explosive breaching to SBPD’s tactical capabilities represents a vital enhancement to public safety, providing a controlled and effective option when other means are not viable, and lives are at risk. 2021-2025 Strategic Targets and Goals
The annual reporting of department military equipment use aligns with Key Target No. 3: Improved Quality of Life - Constantly evaluate public safety service delivery models to enhance the quality of service
Fiscal Impact
There is no new fiscal impact associated with the approval of this equipment. Any future equipment will be purchased in compliance with City purchasing rules and there are sufficient funds in the Department’s budget for the purchase.
Conclusion
It is recommended that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino, California:
1. Receive and file the Department’s annual military equipment use report; and
2. Approve the Department’s request to acquire additional life-saving equipment in accordance with Assembly Bill 481.
Attachments
Attachment 1 Annual Military Equipment Report
Attachment 2 Ordinance No. MC-1579
Ward:
All Wards
Synopsis of Previous Council Actions:
May 15, 2024 The Mayor and City Council approved of the Police Department’s Annual Military Equipment Report and
Approved Future Purchases.
May 3, 2023 The Mayor and City Council approved of the Police Department’s Annual Military Equipment Report and
Approved Future Purchases.
May 18, 2022 The Mayor and City Council adopted Ordinance No.
MC1579 approving Police Department Policy 705 (Military Equipment Policy) in accordance with Assembly Bill 481.
May 4, 2022 First reading of Ordinance No. MC-1579 adopting Police Department Policy 705 (Military Equipment Policy) in
accordance with Assembly Bill 481 was presented to, and introduced by, the Mayor and City Council.