AB 481
Military Equipment Use Policy
Facilitated by:
Vallejo PD’s Command Staff
What is Assembly Bill 481?
• On September 30, 2021, Governor Newsom signed into law eight police reform bills, including Assembly Bill (AB) 481 “Military Equipment Use” . • This legislation mandates that California law enforcement agencies establish comprehensive policies and obtain approval from the City Council for the deployment, funding, and procurement of designated operational equipment. • The specified military equipment is intended to serve as a protective measure, ensuring the welfare, safety, civil rights, and liberties of our community members.
• AB 481 necessitates the submission of an annual report detailing equipment utilization, desired acquisitions, and City Council’s feedback. • This bill also institutes an annual public forum to facilitate community input and engagement.
AB 481 Definitions of
Military Equipment
"Military Equipment " doesn't necessarily originate from the military, it is interpretated to mean :
Any equipment perceived to have a militaristic or heavy - handed use, such as armored vehicles, certain types of
firearms, or surveillance technology. Lawmakers and
advocacy groups believe such equipment by civilian law
enforcement agencies can create an atmosphere of
intimidation, escalate conflicts, or erode trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve.
AB 481 Definitions of
Military Equipment
• Unmanned, remotely piloted, powered aerial or ground vehicles • Mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicles or armored personnel carriers • High mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicles (HMMWV), two-and-one-half-ton trucks, five-ton trucks, or wheeled vehicles that have a breaching or entry apparatus attached • Tracked armored vehicles that provide ballistic protection to their occupants • Command and control vehicles that are either built or modified to facilitate the operational control and direction of public safety units
• Weaponized aircraft, vessels, or vehicles of any kind • Battering rams, slugs, and breaching apparatuses that are explosive in nature • Firearms and ammunition of .50 caliber or greater, excluding standard-issue shotguns and standard-issue shotgun ammunition
AB 481 Definitions of
Military Equipment
• Specialized firearms and ammunition of less than .50 caliber, including firearms and accessories identified as assault weapons in Penal Code § 30510 and Penal Code §30515, with the exception of standard-issue service weapons
• Any firearm or firearm accessory that is designed to launch explosive projectiles • Noise-flash diversionary devices and explosive breaching tools • Munitions containing tear gas or OC, excluding standard, service-issued handheld pepper spray • TASER® Shockwave, microwave weapons, water cannons, and long-range acoustic devices • Kinetic energy weapons and munitions
• Any other equipment as determined by a governing body or a state agency to require additional oversight
Vallejo PD’s AB 481 Equipment Inventory
Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS)
remotely piloted aircraft (aerial)
• Parrot Anafi Thermal: UAS can record video with approximately 30 minutes of flight time. • DJI Phantom 4 Pro: UAS can record video with approximately 30 minutes of flight time. • DJI Matrice 210: UAS can record video with approximately 50 minutes of flight time. UAS can carry zoom and FLIR camera simultaneously.
• DJI Mini 3 Pro: UAS can record video/photos with approximately 45 minutes of flight time. • DJI Mavic 3: UAS can record video/photos with approximately 40 minutes of flight time. • DJI FPV: UAS can record video/photos with approximately 15 minutes of flight time. • DJI Mavic 3 Pro: UAS can record video/photos with approximately 40 minutes of flight time. • DJI Mavic 3 Thermal: UAS can record video/photos with approximately 40 minutes of flight time. • DJI Avata: UAS can record video/photos with approximately 15 minutes of flight time.
Vallejo PD’s AB 481 Equipment
Inventory
Unmanned, remotely piloted, and powered ground vehicle
• PackBot 510 is a man-transportable robot that performs bomb disposal, surveillance and reconnaissance, and HazMat handling operations. PackBot 510 easily climbs stairs and navigates narrow passages, relaying real-time video, audio and sensor data while the operator stays at a safer, standoff distance.
Vallejo PD’s AB 481
Equipment Inventory
Armored Vehicles and Personnel Carriers
•The LENCO Medcat is an armored vehicle
that seats ten personnel with an open floor
plan that allows for the rescue of down
subjects. It is armored to stop various
projectiles which provides greater safety
beyond officer’s personal body armor.
•Cadillac Gage Ranger (Peacekeeper):
The Cadillac Gage Ranger is a four wheeled armored
personnel carrier built on a Dodge truck chassis.
This vehicle is used for the protection of officers.
Vallejo PD’s AB 481
Equipment Inventory
Command, control, and equipment transport vehicles (ESU, SWA T , HNT) • Freightliner MT-45 Step Van: The Freightliner
MT-45 is a walk-in step van. The MT-45 is used by
the Emergency Services Unit to store equipment
that would be needed on SWAT callouts.
• Freightliner MT-55 Step Van: The Freightliner
MT-55 is a walk-in step van. The MT-55 is used by
the Emergency Services Unit as a Command Post
during operations.
• Four Winds 32R Motor Home: The Four Winds 32R
motor home is a Class "A" motor home mounted to a
Ford F-53 chassis. This motor home is used by the
Hostage Negotiation Team.
Vallejo PD’s AB 481
Equipment Inventory
Specialized firearms and ammunition, including assault weapons as defined in Sections 30510 and 30515 of the Penal Code.
• Colt Arms Enhanced Patrol Rifle: The Colt Arms Enhanced Patrol Rifle provides a greater range over standard firearms.
This rifle is configured with a 16-inch barrel.
• Colt Arms M4 Commando: The Colt Arms M4 Commando
provides a greater range over standard issues firearms. The Colt Arms M4 Commando is configured with an 11.5-inch barrel. • Daniel Defense DDM4A1: The Daniel Defense DDM4A1 rifle provides greater range over standard issued firearms.
This rifle utilizes a smaller 14.5-inch barrel.
Vallejo PD’s AB 481
Equipment Inventory
Specialized firearms and ammunition, including assault weapons as defined in Sections 30510 and 30515 of the Penal Code.
• Heckler and Koch MP5K-N: The Heckler and Koch
MP5K-N is a compact 9mm submachine gun
designed primarily for special forces, police and
bodyguards.
• Heckler and Koch G3: The Heckler and Koch G3 is
a .308 caliber, select fire rifle, used in SWATand/or
critical incident operations. The rifle provides
greater range over standard issued firearms.
Vallejo PD’s AB 481
Equipment Inventory
Projectile launch platforms and their associated munitions: 40mm projectile launchers, pepper ball launchers, foam batons, wood batons, rubber bullets, pepper balls, CS projectiles, warning/signaling rounds, and specialty impact munitions (SIM) • 40MM LAUNCHERS Defense Technology 1440: The Def Tech 1440 is a four shot 40mm launcher with a rotating magazine cylinder. The launcher has the ability to engage subjects from five to 70 meters away while delivering the same energy throughout these distances. • Defense Technology LMT: The Def Tech 40mm LMTS is a single-shot launcher that fires standard 40mm less lethal ammunition. • PEPPERBALL LAUNCHERS Pepper Ball FTC Launcher: Compact and lightweight, the Pepper ball FTC is the industry standard for crowd- control. The FTC features a modular design with a rapid feeding loader and firing rate of 10-12 RPS.
• CTS Flashbang The CTS Flashbang is a less-lethal explosive device to temporarily disorient a suspect’s senses.
• Defense Technology Triple-Chaser CS Canister: The Def Tech Triple-Chaser CS consists of three separate canisters pressed together with separating charges between each. When deployed, the canisters separate and land 20 feet apart, allowing increased area coverage in a short time. • Defense Technology Safe Smoke Blue: The Def Tech pocket tactical blue smoke grenade is a small, lightweight device that burns for 20-40 seconds. • Defense Technology Stinger 60.cal: The Def Tech Stinger 60. cal is a rubber ball grenade which is a maximum effect device that delivers four effects at once, rubber pellets, light, sound, and CS. This device is used for crowd control.
Vallejo PD’s AB 481
Equipment Inventory
Crowd Control/Riot Dispersal T ools, "flashbangs," stinger balls, CS grenades, CS canisters, OC vapor aerosol, and smoke grenades. • Defense Technology Pocket Tactical CS: The Def Tech Pocket Tactical CS is a small lightweight grenade with an active agent burn of 20-40 seconds.
Defense Technology Riot Control CS: The Def Tech Riot Control CS Grenade is designed specifically for outdoor use in crowd control situations with a high-volume continuous burn that expels its payload in approximately 20-40 seconds through four gas ports located on the top of the canister. This grenade can be used to conceal tactical movement or to route a crowd. • Defense Technology Riot Control CS: The Def Tech Riot Control CS Grenade is designed specifically for outdoor use in crowd control situations with a high-volume continuous burn that expels its payload in approximately 20-40 seconds through four gas ports located on the top of the canister. This grenade can be used to conceal tactical movement or to route a crowd. DRAFTAB 481 MILITARY EQUIPMENT USE POLICY • Defense Technology Flameless CS Tri-Chamber: The Def Tech Flameless Tri-Chamber grenade is designed primarily for indoor tactical situations to detect and/or dislodge a barricaded subject. The grenade has 20-25 seconds burn time. Defense Technology OC Vapor Aerosol Grenade: The Def Tech OC Vapor Aerosol Grenade delivers a high concentration of Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) in a powerful mist. The grenade is designed for indoor use in confined areas
Vallejo PD’s AB 481
Equipment Inventory
Crowd control/riot dispersal tools, "flashbangs," stinger balls, CS grenades, CS canisters, OC vapor aerosol, and smoke grenades.
Vallejo PD’s AB 481
Equipment Inventory
Many of the listed items may evoke a military association, and many of them are commonly available for purchase in both brick-and-mortar stores and online retail outlets. Here are some examples:
• Drones: Drones, often used for surveillance purposes, can be purchased at toy stores catering to hobbyists and enthusiasts. Additionally, major retailers like Best Buy stock a variety of drones for recreational and commercial use. • Firearms: Certain firearms, including those with tactical features, are available for purchase at sporting goods stores specializing in hunting and shooting sports. These stores typically offer a range of firearms, ammunition, and accessories.
• Armored Vehicles and Recreational Vehicles: Armored vehicles, such as armored trucks or personnel carriers, which may fall under the category of "military equipment," can be purchased at specialized dealerships or through online platforms dealing with commercial or recreational vehicles. • Surveillance Technology: Surveillance equipment, such as cameras, listening devices, and tracking devices, can be purchased from Amazon, Fox Spy Outlet, Best Buy, Walmart, Home Depot and Lowes.
WEAPONS CONFISCA TED
AFTER AN ARREST BY VPD
WEAPONS CONFISCA TED
AFTER AN ARREST BY VPD
WEAPONS CONFISCA TED
AFTER AN ARREST BY VPD
WEAPONS CONFISCA TED
AFTER AN ARREST BY VPD
Actions Taken by VPD to Meet
Requirements of AB 481
The state imposed a requirement for the City to adopt a Military Equipment Ordinance in 2022. Staff began working on such an ordinance that year, but due to staffing and other priorities, such as the police reform efforts, the ordinance was delayed several times. The draft ordinance was finalized early this year and the public notice from the police department was to make the public aware of its availability and to take any comment on it.
Much of the listed equipment has been in the VPD inventory for many years. The proposed ordinance is extensive, covering all existing military equipment owned or used by VPD. No new equipment is being added or considered.
Why This Equipment Is Needed
• To bring a safe and peaceful resolution to critical incidents with minimal harm to all involved parties.
• Provide comfortable and secure command centers for critical incidents
• Safe transport of highly trained personnel and their equipment • Ability to locate and isolate subjects who present an immediate harm to the public
• Deterrence, compliance, and control through the use of chemical agents
• Reduce chances of a lethal force encounter, increase opportunities for de-escalation
• Ability to leverage time and distance with technology, skilled personnel, and effective equipment
Questions, Comments
and
Concerns
AB 481
Military Equipment Use Policy
Facilitated by:
Vallejo PD’s Command Staff
Special Events
Sponsorship Grant
Cycle 2024-25
Shelee Loughmiller
Community and Volunteer Coordinator
City Manager’s Office
Building a Vibrant, Safe,
Prosperous
Vallejo Community
• Special Events do not take a specific
form but focus on highlighting the local
area, enhancing economic activity and
building collaboration and bonds within
the diverse community that is Vallejo.
• Community Celebrations are:
• Free to the public
• Have clearly defined success
metrics and socio-economic
impact.
2024-25 Grant Applications
• The grant application period opened on
October 26, 2023 due no later than February
19, 2024 at 12:00pm.
• 28 Applications were received; a 42%
increase over Cycle 1.
• 57% were submitted by first-time applicants.
• 46% of proposals were submitted by
organizations representing Black,
Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC).
• 13 organizations will receive a grant for a
total of $171,000.
Grant Awards by Organization
Award Organization
$10,000 Boys & Girls Empowerment Group – After School Program $30,000 Filipino Community of Solano County – Pista sa Nayon $ 5,000 First Chance Vallejo – STEM Youth Programs
$ 5,000 Kids N Film – Youth Poetry & Art Chalk Walk
$15,000 Monarch Milkweed Project – Bay Area Butterfly Festival $10,000 Nuevos Camino – Dia de La Familia
$10,000 Solano Community Foundation - Winged Migration Expo $30,000 Vallejo Main St. – August Summer Nights
$20,000 Vallejo Naval Museum – Hispanic Heritage Month
$ 6,000 Lady Echelon Project – Vallejo Harvest Festival $15,000 2nd Friday ArtWalk
$10,000 Visions of the Wild Festival
$ 5,000 Miss Vallejo/Tri-City Film Festival
CONTACT(S)
Andrew Murray, City Manager
[email protected]
Shelee Loughmiller, Community &
Volunteer Coordinator
[email protected]