2025 Annual Military Equipment Use Report

ADOPT a resolution approving the Richmond Police Department’s 2025 Annual Military Equipment Use Report and authorizing the continued use of approved military equipment consistent with Government Code sections 7070 through 7075, Policy Manual section 707, and the findings required by Government Code section 7071(d) – Police Department (Chief Timothy Simmons/Captain John Lopez 510-621-1802).

This item was continued from the June 16, and July 7, 2026, meeting.

Public input on this matter was received during the July 7, 2026, meeting. The Council will now discuss this item without additional public comment.

Financial Impact

There is no fiscal impact associated with this item.

Previous Council Action

April 22, 2025

Statement Of The Issue

California Assembly Bill 481 requires local law enforcement agencies to obtain governing body approval for the funding, acquisition, use, and continued use of certain equipment defined by statute as “military equipment.” AB 481 also requires annual reporting, public posting of the report, community engagement, and annual City Council review to determine whether continued authorization remains appropriate. Richmond Police Department is therefore required to submit its 2025 Annual Military Equipment Use Report for Council review and approval.

The 2025 report provides updated information regarding the Department’s military equipment inventory, operational uses, policy updates, fiscal impact, complaints and concerns, and projected acquisitions for

• 2026. The report also responds to specific direction previously provided by the City Council.

Recommended Action

ADOPT a resolution approving the Richmond Police Department’s 2025 Annual Military Equipment Use Report and authorizing the continued use of approved military equipment consistent with Government Code sections 7070 through 7075, Policy Manual section 707, and the findings required by Government Code section 7071(d) – Police Department (Chief Timothy Simmons/Captain John Lopez 510-621-1802). This item was continued from the June 16, and July 7, 2026, meeting. Public input on this matter was received during the July 7, 2026, meeting. The Council will now discuss this item without additional public comment.

Discussion

Legal Requirements

Under California Assembly Bill 481 (“AB 481”), codified at Government Code sections 7070–7075, a law enforcement agency that has an approved military equipment use policy has several ongoing annual obligations.

The primary annual requirements are:

• 1. Prepare and submit an annual military equipment report to the governing body (e.g., City Council) within one year of initial approval and annually thereafter for as long as the equipment remains available for use.
• 2. Publish the annual report on the agency’s website and keep it publicly available.
• 3. Hold at least one well-publicized and conveniently located community engagement meeting within 30 days of releasing the annual report.
• 4. Obtain annual review by the governing body of the military equipment ordinance/policy. The governing body must determine whether to renew, amend, or revoke authorization for the equipment.

The annual report itself must include, at a minimum, for each type of military equipment:

• A summary of how the equipment was used and the purpose of its use;
• A summary of complaints or concerns received;
• Results of internal audits;
• Information regarding policy violations and corrective actions;
• Total annual costs, including acquisition, training, maintenance, storage, transportation, upgrades, and ongoing expenses;
• Funding sources for the upcoming year;
• Quantity possessed; and
• Any planned acquisitions for the next year.

The governing body may disapprove of continued use or require amendments if it finds that the equipment:

• has not complied with the standards for approval,
• is no longer necessary,
• or that continued use is inconsistent with public welfare or fiscal responsibility.

2024 Annual Report Approval During the April 22, 2025, Richmond City Council meeting, the 2024 AB 481 Annual Report was presented by former Chief Bisa French and Captain John Lopez. During that meeting, the City Council provided additional direction to the Police Department regarding future AB 481 reporting, policy development, and community transparency measures. This 2025 Annual Military Equipment Use Report reflects the Department’s efforts to address those directives.

First, the City Council directed the Police Department to develop a process to track each time an officer deploys or displays a patrol rifle during an incident. In response, the Department created an electronic reporting form and implemented a reporting process for officers, supervisors, and watch commanders to document those deployments. The resulting patrol rifle deployment data is included in this report.

Second, the City Council directed the Police Department to amend Policy 707.6 and include a dedicated section addressing the use of armored rescue vehicles borrowed from other agencies, including their purpose, authorized uses, operational controls, and reporting requirements. That policy amendment is included in this report and is intended to provide clarity regarding the Department’s use of armored rescue support from partner agencies when necessary for life safety and high-risk incidents.

Third, the City Council unanimously directed that, for the Department’s 2026 community engagement meeting, notice be provided to the Community Police Review Commission (CPRC), the Mayor’s Office, and the City Council at least two weeks in advance with the intent of enhancing community awareness, encouraging participation and feedback, and assisting in broader public notice of the meeting. This report shows that the required notifications were provided as directed.

Finally, the City Council also directed that the 2025 annual report include location and demographic information, including race and ethnicity data. In response, the Department collected and included estimated location and demographic data in this annual report to the extent such information was known and available.

The 2025 report provides updated information regarding the Department’s military equipment inventory, operational uses, policy updates, fiscal impact, complaints and concerns, and projected acquisitions for 2026. The report identifies the Department’s military equipment by category and model, summarizes operational deployments during the reporting period, and outlines proposed policy revisions related to armored rescue vehicles from other jurisdictions and updated unmanned aerial system operations, including the City Council approved Drone as First Responder program.

The report further identifies military equipment related expenditures during the reporting period, as well as estimated projected training costs associated with SWAT, Patrol Rifle, Sniper, and Drone as First Responder operations. These training costs reflect the Department’s continuing commitment to ensure that military equipment is used only by properly trained personnel, in accordance with Department policy, applicable law, and the protection of civil rights and public safety.

Public Release, CPRC Presentation, and Community Engagement The Richmond Police Department publicly released the 2025 Annual Military Equipment Use Report on May 14, 2026, by posting the report on the Department’s AB 481 transparency webpage: https://www.richmondca.gov/4248/AB-481---Military-Equipment- Use-Policy

The report was published more than 30 days before the scheduled City Council review on June 16, 2026. The report remained publicly available for review before the Community Police Review Commission presentation, the community engagement meeting, and the City Council meeting.

On Wednesday, June 3, 2026, the Richmond Police Department presented an overview of the 2025 Annual Military Equipment Use Report to the Community Police Review Commission. During that meeting, the Department reviewed the purpose of AB 481, the Department’s annual reporting obligations, the equipment inventory, operational use data, patrol rifle deployment tracking, Drone as First Responder data, demographic and location information, complaints and concerns, fiscal impact, and proposed policy updates. The Department answered questions from the Commission and received feedback regarding the report. The Department also received comments recognizing the thoroughness of the report, the expanded level of detail compared to prior reporting years, and the transparency reflected in the updated reporting format. The June 3, 2026, CPRC meeting video may be reviewed through the City’s CPRC meeting webpage: https://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/3269/Audio-of-Meetings

Consistent with Government Code section 7072 and prior City Council direction, the Richmond Police Department also held a separate AB 481 community engagement meeting on Friday, June 5, 2026, in the City Council Chambers. Notice of the community engagement meeting was provided in advance on May 15, 2026, to the Community Police Review Commission, the Mayor’s Office, and the City Council as directed by the City Council during the prior annual review process. The Department also prepared and presented a slide deck presentation for the community engagement meeting, consistent with feedback and recommendations received through the CPRC process. During the community engagement meeting, the Department provided an overview of the 2025 Annual Military Equipment Use Report, discussed the Department’s military equipment inventory and operational uses, reviewed reporting and transparency requirements, and answered questions from members of the community regarding the Department’s funding, acquisition, and use of military equipment.

These public review opportunities were intended to ensure that the community, the Community Police Review Commission, and the City Council had an opportunity to review the report, ask questions, and provide feedback before the City Coun