ANNUAL MILITARY EQUIPMENT REPORT PER CA ASSEMBLY BILL NO. 481

None.

On September 30, 2021, Governor Newsom approved Assembly Bill 481. The Bill requires law enforcement agencies to obtain approval from the applicable governing body (City Council), by adoption of a military equipment use policy, as specified by ordinance at a regular meeting prior to taking certain actions relating to the funding, acquisition, or use of military equipment.

On May 17, 2022, the City Council for the City of Placentia adopted Ordinance No. O-2022-03, adopting a Military Equipment Use Policy governing the law enforcement’s use of items that are deemed “military equipment” under AB 481. Since then, Placentia Police Department (PPD) has successfully maintained the military equipment in accordance with the policy. Government Code section 7072(a) requires the Police Department submit to the City Council an annual report that includes:

• A summary of how the military equipment was used and the purpose of its use.
• A summary of any complaints or concerns received concerning the military equipment.
• The results of any internal audits, any information about violations of the military equipment use policy, and any actions taken in response.
• The total annual cost for each type of military equipment, including acquisition, personnel, training, transportation, maintenance, storage, upgrade, and other ongoing costs.
• The quantity possessed for each type of military equipment.
• If the Department intends to acquire additional military equipment in the next year, the quantity sought for each type of military equipment.

Within 30 days of submitting and publicly releasing an annual military equipment report pursuant to this section, the law enforcement agency shall hold at least one well publicized and conveniently located community engagement meeting, at which the general public may discuss and ask questions regarding the annual military equipment report and the law enforcement agency’s funding, acquisition, or use of military equipment.

On October 13th, the Police Department hosted a community engagement meeting in the front community room of City Hall. Designated personnel were present to provide community members the opportunity to comment on, discuss, and ask questions regarding the annual report. There were no community members that had questions or comments regarding the annual military report. The policy and Annual Report are attached with this staff report.

It is recommended that the City Council:

1. Receive and file the annual Military Equipment Report per CA Assembly Bill No. 481; and
2. Adopt Resolution No. R-2026-67, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Placentia, California, renewing its Military Equipment Use Policy and Ordinance O-2022-03.

The AB 481 Annual Military Equipment Report supports Strategic Goal No. 2 by ensuring the Police Department has the tools and resources it needs to maintain operational readiness. This report also ensures City Council and the community are aware of the equipment used by the Police Department.

AB 481 requires annual approval of use, reporting, and oversight in purchasing and maintaining items deemed “military equipment.”  

The term “military equipment,” as used in AB 481, does not necessarily indicate equipment used by the military. Items deemed to be “military equipment” include, but are not limited to, unmanned aerial or ground vehicles, armored vehicles, command and control vehicles, pepper ball launchers, less lethal shotguns, less lethal 40mm projectile launchers, long range acoustic devices, and flashbangs. The list of items considered “military equipment” by AB 481 are employed by many law enforcement agencies across the country as best practices to enhance citizen and officer safety.

The intent of the annual community engagement meeting was to provide local transparency on all department equipment deemed “military equipment.” Comments and concerns shared by community participants are intended to be shared with the council as part of their decision making and annual approval process. The community engagement meeting for AB 481 was advertised in the Placentia City Weekly, on the Placentia Police Department’s website, and a flyer was posted on the announcement board outside of City Hall. The meeting was held on October 13, 2026, from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. Designated personnel were present to provide community members the opportunity to comment on, discuss, and ask questions regarding the annual report. There were no community members that had questions or comments regarding the annual military report.

None