2024 Vernon Police Department Annual Military Equipment Report 1 Mobile Incident Command Vehicle (MIC): Area E Command Post (custom built Class A) vehicle. A vehicle used as a mobile office to provide a centralized shelter, access to Department computer systems, and restroom facilities during extended events. a) Description, quantity, capabilities, and purchase cost: 2007 Eagle Workhorse (custom built) vehicle, cost: approximately $250,000, quantity: 1.
b) Purpose: To be used based on the specific circumstances of a given critical incident, large event, natural disaster, or community event that is taking place. c) Authorized Use: Only officers trained in the deployment and operations of the MIC are authorized to operate it. Situations in which the MIC is authorized for use would include but not be limited to critical incidents, emergencies, and natural disasters. d) Expected Lifespan: The MIC, approximately 20-year lifespan on chassis and vehicle structure.
Upgrades needed every 3 years to maintain IT systems.
e) Fiscal Impact: The annual maintenance cost is approximately $11,000. The MIC is stored and maintained by the Whittier Police Department for Area E Mutual Aid. The annual cost contributed by the Vernon Police Department (VPD) is $500. f) Training: The driver/operator shall have the appropriate license status from the California Department of Motor Vehicles and receive training in the safe handling of the vehicle. g) Legal and Procedural Rules: It is the policy of the Department to use the MIC only for official law enforcement purposes and in accordance with California State law regarding the operation of motor vehicles.
Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS): An unmanned aircraft along with the associated equipment necessary to control it remotely.
a) Description, quantity, capabilities, purchase cost:
i. The DJI Mavic 3 Thermal (M3T) UAS, cost: approximately $8,275, quantity: 2.
The DJI Mavic 3 Thermal (M3T) is an all-in-one, quick-to-deploy commercial and enterprise UAS designed for public safety, weighing approximately 920 grams. The M3T features a zoom camera, thermal sensor, and speaker.
ii. The DJI Avata 2 UAS, cost: approximately $1,881, quantity: 2.
The DJI Avata 2 is a compact commercial UAS designed for first responders, weighing approximately 377 grams. Flight times are up to 23 minutes. The Avata 2 features a spotlight that makes it easier to navigate in tight spaces during interior building searches. 2024 Vernon Police Department Annual Military Equipment Report 2 (b) Purpose: To be deployed when its view would assist officers or incident commanders with the following situations, which include but are not limited to:
• Major collision investigations
• Search for missing persons
• Natural disaster management
• Crime scene photography
• Tactical or public safety and life preservation missions • In response to specific requests from local, state, or federal fire authorities for fire response and/or prevention
(c) Authorized Use: only assigned operators/pilots who have completed the required training shall be permitted to operate any UAS during approved missions. All other applicable VPD policies remain in effect, including but not limited to, the Unmanned Aircraft System Operations. (d) Training: All department UAS operators are licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration for UAS operation. In addition, each operator must attend department training and ongoing quarterly training.
(e) Expected Lifespan: All UAS equipment, approximately 2-5 years. (f) Fiscal Impact: Annual maintenance and battery replacement cost are approximately $1,500. (g) Legal and Procedural Rules: Use is established under VPD policy, FAA Regulation 14 CFR Part 107, and the VPD UAS policy. It is the policy of the VPD to utilize UAS only for official law enforcement purposes, and in a manner that respects the privacy of our community, pursuant to State and Federal law.
40 mm Launchers and Rounds: 40 mm Launchers are utilized by department personnel as a less lethal tool to launch impact rounds or to deploy chemical agents. a) Description, quantity, capabilities, and purchase cost:
i. DEFENSE TECHNOLOGY, 40 MM SINGLE SHOT LAUNCHER, cost: approximately $1,000, quantity: 3.
40 mm Single Shot Launcher, is a tactical single shot launcher which will launch a 40 mm less lethal round or deliver chemical agents.
ii. DEFENSE TECHNOLOGY, 40 MM EXACT IMPACT SPONGE, cost: approximately $18, quantity:
62. 40 mm Exact Impact Sponge, is a less lethal 40 mm lightweight plastic and foam projectile fired from a 40 mm launcher.
2024 Vernon Police Department Annual Military Equipment Report 3 iii. DEFENSE TECHNOLOGY, 40 MM MARKING ROUND, cost: approximately $28, quantity: 21. 40 mm Exact Impact Marking Round is a lesslethal 40 mm lightweight plastic and crushable foam projectile fired from a single 40 mm launcher. It delivers a marking agent upon impact. b) Purpose: To limit the escalation of conflict where employment of lethal force is prohibited or undesirable. Situations for use of the less lethal weapon systems may include, but are not limited to:
• Self-destructive, dangerous and/or combative individuals • Riot control and civil unrest incidents
• Potentially vicious animals
• Training exercises or approved demonstrations
c) Authorized Use: Only assigned operators who have completed the required POST training shall be permitted to deploy the 40 mm or the chemical agents. d) Training: Sworn members utilizing 40 mm less-lethal chemical agents or impact rounds are trained in their use by certified less lethal and chemical agent instructors. e) Expected Lifespan:
• 40 mm Single Shot Launcher - approximately 25 years
• 40 mm ammunition - approximately 5 years
e) Fiscal Impact:
• 40 mm Launcher - estimated annual maintenance at $50 each • 40 mm Sponge Round - estimated at $2,00 annually
f) Legal and Procedural Rules: Officers will deploy 40 mm impact rounds in compliance with the VPD’s Use of Force and Conducted Energy Device policies; and in compliance with State and Federal law regarding the use of force.
Less Lethal Shotgun: The less lethal shotgun is a 12-gauge shotgun that has been designated by an orange stock to be used to deploy the less lethal 12-gauge drag stabilized bean bag round. a) Description, quantity, capabilities, and purchase cost:
i. REMINGTON 870 LESS LETHAL SHOTGUN, cost: approximately $946, quantity: 20.
The less lethal shotgun is a 12-gauge shotgun that has been designated by an orange stock to be used to deploy the less lethal 12-gauge drag stabilized bean bag round. ii. 12-GAUGE CTS DRAG STABILIZED BEANBAG ROUND, Model 2581, cost: approximately $7, quantity: 500.
2024 Vernon Police Department Annual Military Equipment Report 4 A less lethal 2.4-inch 12-gauge shotgun round firing a ballistic fiber bag filled with 40 grams of lead shot at a velocity of 270-290 feet per second (FPS). b) Purpose: To limit the escalation of conflict where employment of lethal force is prohibited or undesirable. Situations for use of less lethal weapon systems may include, but are not limited to:
• Self-destructive, dangerous and/or combative individuals • Riot/crowd control and civil unrest incidents
• Circumstances where a tactical advantage can be obtained • Potentially vicious animals
• Training exercises or approved demonstrations
c) Authorized Use: All officers are trained in the 12 gauge less lethal shotgun as a less lethal option by in-service training.
d) Expected Lifespan:
• Less Lethal Shotgun - approximately 25 years
• Drag Stabilized Round - no listed expiration date
e) Fiscal Impact:
• Less Lethal Shotgun - annual maintenance is approximately $50 for each shotgun • Super Sock Beanbag Round - annual cost for beanbag rounds are $2,000 f) Training: All officers are trained in the 12 gauge less-lethal shotgun as a less-lethal option through in-service training.
g) Legal and Procedural Rules: Officers will utilize the less-lethal shotgun in compliance with the VPD’s Use of Force and Conducted Energy Device policies; and in compliance with State and Federal law regarding the use of force.
Specialized Firearms and Ammunition: Guns that are fired from shoulder level, having a longer, grooved barrel intended to make bullets spin and thereby have greater accuracy over a long distance. a) Description, quantity, capabilities, and purchase cost:
i. Colt AR-15/M4, cost: approximately $2,400, quantity not to exceed: 55.
Patrol Rifle: A rifle that fires a 5.56 mm or .223 caliber cartridge. The Vernon Police Department utilizes an approximate 11.5-inch barrel. The 11.5-inch short-barreled rifle allows a trained officer better control inside of structures, which allows the officer to have greater accuracy than a handgun.
2024 Vernon Police Department Annual Military Equipment Report 5 ii. Colt 9 mm Pistol Caliber Carbine (PCC), cost: approximately $1,500, quantity: 4.
A 9 mm PCC is primarily used for training.
iii. Ammunition
.223 Caliber/5.56 mm rifle rounds, cost: $757 per 1,000 rounds, quantity: 7,500 rounds; 9 mm Luger, cost: $374 per 1,000 rounds, quantity: 8,500 rounds; The Vernon Police Department utilizes only new, commercially produced ammunition.
Full Metal Jacket bullets are used specifically for range practice which also reduces fouling in the firearm. Duty ammunition is a specially designed hollow-point tip to have controlled expansion to limit over penetration.
Selections of which of the above ammunition to use is dependent on the threat and the environment (to include barriers, weather conditions, uninvolved parties, etc.). b) Purpose: To be used as precision weapons to address a threat with more precision and/or greater distances than a handgun, if present and feasible. c) Authorized Use: Only members that are Department certified are authorized to use a patrol rifle. Prior to using a patrol rifle, officers must be certified by Department range instructors in the operation of the firearm. Additionally, all members that operate any patrol rifle are required to pass a range qualification quarterly. Officers will only use departmental approved duty ammunition.
d) Expected Lifespan:
• Colt AR-15/MR – approximately 25 years
• 9 mm Pistol Caliber Carbine – approximately 25 years
• Ammunition – no expiration
e) Fiscal Impact:
• Patrol Rifle - annual maintenance is approximately $50 for each patrol rifle • Pistol Caliber Carbine - annual maintenance is approximately $50 for each PCC • Ammunition - annual cost of ammunition is approximately $15,000 f) Training: All officers are trained in specialized firearms through in-service training. g) Legal and Procedural Rules: Officers will utilize specialized firearms in compliance with the VPD’s Use of Force and Firearms policies; and in compliance with State and Federal law regarding the use of force.
2024 Vernon Police Department Annual Military Equipment Report 6 PepperBall Launcher: A device that discharges irritant projectiles. a) Description, quantity, capabilities, and purchase cost:
i. PepperBall Launcher, cost: approximately $1,300, quantity: 3.
The PepperBall Launcher is a compressed-air powered launcher designed to fire less lethal PepperBall projectiles. The PepperBall Launcher is a hopper fed device. ii. PepperBall LIVE PROJECTILE, cost: approximately $2 per projectile, quantity: 1,000.
The PepperBall projectile contains a concentrated amount of PAVA pepper powder, and is designed for direct impact and area saturation, especially in confined, interior spaces. b) Purpose: To limit the escalation of conflict where deployment of lethal force is prohibited or undesirable. Situations for the use of the less-lethal weapon systems may include but are not limited to:
• Self-destructive, dangerous, and/or combative individuals • Riot/crowd control and civil unrest incidents
• Circumstances where a tactical advantage can be obtained • Potentially vicious animals
• Training exercises or approved demonstrations
c) Authorized Use: Only those officers who have been trained in the use of PepperBall launchers are authorized to use the PepperBall launchers.
d) Training:
Sworn members utilizing PepperBall launchers and projectiles are trained in their use by a POSTcertified, less lethal, and chemical agent instructor. e) Expected Lifespan:
• PepperBall Launcher - approximately 20 years
• PepperBall Live Projectile - approximately 3 years
e) Fiscal Impact:
• PepperBall Launcher - annual maintenance is approximately $50 for each launcher • Live Projectile - annual cost for Live Projectiles are $1,200 f) Legal and Procedural Rules: Officers will utilize the PepperBall Launcher in compliance with the VPD’s Use of Force and Conducted Energy Device policies; and in compliance with State and Federal law regarding the use of force.
2024 Vernon Police Department Annual Military Equipment Report 7 INCULSIONS PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 7072
Annual Complaints: None
Annual Audit: The VPD conducted an internal audit and determined that there were no violation(s) of the military equipment policy.
Maintenance of Military Use Supply Levels: When stocks of military equipment have reached significantly low levels or have been exhausted, the Department may order up to 50% of the stock in a calendar year without city council approval to maintain essential availability for the Department's needs.
VPD is authorized to acquire additional stock of in the event of an emergency when approved by the Chief of Police (COP) or designee.