Approve law requiring council oversight of police military equipment

Police & Community SafetyGovernance

In Plain English

State law now requires cities to formally approve policies governing police use of military-style equipment like drones and armored vehicles. Richmond police currently own some equipment covered by this law. If approved, the council must review and authorize any future purchases of such equipment.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Votes

Directed staff to return to the city council with the ordinance and include the following changes: (1) Assault Rifles: use the language in Section (a) to be 'where there is objectively reasonable anticipation of an armed encounter' instead of (a) 'where the officer reasonably anticipates an armed encounter' and (2) Weapon Categories authorizing unlimited use: Be more specific about the authorized uses of the robots, breaching shotguns, flashbangs, 'less lethal' making the authorized uses match the purpose and adding into the 'uses' section that all use of less lethal must be for distraction purposes only

Moved by: Claudia JimenezSeconded by: Gayle McLaughlin

Passed

5 to 2

Thomas K. ButtNay

Nathaniel BatesNay

Claudia JimenezAye

Demnlus Johnson IIIAye

Gayle McLaughlinAye

Melvin WillisAye

Eduardo MartinezAye

Approve the item as presented

Moved by: <UNKNOWN>Seconded by: <UNKNOWN>