CITY COUNCIL ACTION REQUEST
DEPARTMENT(S)
Police
CEQA
Categorically Exempt,
File No. PP17-010 for
City Organizational
and Administrative
Activities resulting in
no changes to the
physical environment.
COORDINATION
City Attorney's Office;
City Manager’s Budget
Office
Director Approval
/s/
Paul Joseph
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S)
Citywide
CMO Approval
11/26/25
SUBJECT: San Jose Police Foundation Donation of Equipment for Police Fixed-Wing Aircraft
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a resolution accepting a donation from the San Jose Police Foundation of required equipment for the new Police Department fixed-wing aircraft, including a camera imaging system and associated mount, and dual workstation monitors, with a combined value of $1,523,394.
BASIS FOR RECOMMENDATION
The recommended action allows the Police Department to accept a donation from the San Jose Police Foundation of equipment to be mounted on the Police Department's new fixed-wing aircraft, which was approved by the City Council on September 16, 2025.1 The L3 Harris MX15 Camera Imaging System will enable the aircraft to observe critical information from altitudes of 4,000 feet to 5,000 feet. That information provides an increased level of situational awareness to the officers on the ground, resulting in an increased margin of safety for the officers and the general public, while also allowing for a more efficient use of resources. The associated mount will allow the camera to be retracted into the belly pod of the aircraft to protect it from the elements or any other external damage, significantly reducing maintenance and repair costs. This donation also includes associated equipment, such as software, antenna, controller, and workstations for the fixed-wing aircraft.
The City Council previously approved the purchase of a new fixed-wing aircraft at the September 16, 2025 meeting (Agenda Item 4.2, File 25-977). That action approved the funding to acquire the aircraft, which included the anticipation of utilizing either donors or future Supplemental Law Enforcement Services grant allocations to obtain this additional equipment for enhanced aircraft functionality. By accepting this donation, the Police Department will be able to install critical equipment that will improve public safety of air support missions.
COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION AND INPUT
No commission recommendation or input is associated with this action.
1 https://sanjose.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=14756736&GUID=F6F67C2E-A418-4DBA- 8263-6B08AB680B3B
COUNCIL AGENDA: 12/9/25
FILE: 25-1283
ITEM: 2.12
COST AND FUNDING SOURCE
The recommendation will allow the City to accept and have critical equipment installed on the approved fixed-wing aircraft, valued at $1,523,394, donated by the San Jose Police Foundation and at no cost to the City. The acceptance of this donation will allow future Supplemental Law Enforcement Services grant funding to be allocated to different projects.
FOR QUESTIONS CONTACT: Lieutenant Thomas Muller, Police Department, at [email protected].