Title
Recommendation to Accept the Annual Military Equipment Report for the Alameda Police Department and Continue to Allow the Department to Use and Maintain the Equipment Previously Adopted. (Police 10031100)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Adam W. Politzer, Interim City Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Effective January 1, 2022, Assembly Bill 481 (AB 481) requires:
1. A law enforcement agency to obtain approval from its governing body to enact a Military Equipment Use Policy by ordinance before purchasing, using, raising funds for, or acquiring military equipment; and
2. A law enforcement agency to submit to the governing body an annual military equipment report for each type of military equipment approved by the governing body for as long as the military equipment is available for use.
The City of Alameda (City) Police Department (APD) is submitting this report to educate the community, report to the City Council, and comply with the requirements outlined in AB 481.
APD publicized a community engagement meeting to be held on April 9, 2026, to discuss this report and to field questions from the community regarding the funding, acquisition, and use of military equipment.
BACKGROUND
On July 7, 2022, City Council reviewed an APD draft policy and approved APD’s Military Equipment Use Policy. This action allowed APD to continue using the equipment and allowed neighboring police agencies to use military equipment within the City’s jurisdiction when providing mutual assistance during exigent circumstances. On March 4, 2024, the City Council approved a revision to APD’s Military Equipment Use Policy. (See Exhibit 1)
DISCUSSION
AB 481 specifies that the Annual Military Equipment Report includes six main categories:
1. A summary of how the military equipment was used and the purpose of its use.
2. A summary of any complaints or concerns received concerning the military equipment.
3. The results of any internal audits, any information about the violation(s) of the Military Equipment Use Policy, and any actions taken in response.
4. The total annual cost for each type of military equipment, including acquisition, personnel, training, transportation, maintenance, storage, upgrade, and other ongoing costs, and from what source funds will be provided for the military equipment in the calendar year following submission of the annual military equipment report.
5. The quantity possessed for each type of military equipment.
6. If the law enforcement agency intends to acquire additional military equipment in the next year, the quantity sought for each type of military equipment.
See California Government Code § 7072(a).
How the Military Equipment was Used and the Purpose of Its Use
In 2025, APD deployed the Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV) once to provide ballistic protection for a high-risk operation and once to stage the vehicle for a special event. APD deployed a Crewless Air Vehicle (Drone) 14 times. The reasons for the Drone deployment ranged from searching for missing persons to searching for suspects who fled from the scene of a crime. Events are summarized below in chronological order (See Exhibit 2).
1. 25-01112: The US Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force requested the use of the ERV to conduct an arrest/search warrant.
2. 25-01625: Alameda Police personnel deployed a Drone to assist in the search for a suspect who fled from an enforcement stop.
3. 25-01955: Alameda Police personnel deployed a Drone to assist in locating a felony suspect.
4. 25-02187: Alameda Police personnel deployed a Drone to assist in the search for a suspect who brandished a weapon.
5. 25-02422: Alameda Police personnel deployed a Drone to assist in locating a stolen vehicle and suspect.
6. 25-02496: Alameda Police personnel deployed a Drone to assist in locating a missing juvenile.
7. 25-02673: Alameda Police personnel deployed a Drone to assist in the search for an assault suspect.
8. 25-02949: Alameda Police personnel deployed a Drone to locate a stolen vehicle and suspect.
9. 25-03582: Alameda Police personnel deployed a Drone in support of the Alameda Fourth of July Parade.
10. 2507040010: Alameda Police personnel staged the ERV in support of the Alameda Fourth of July Parade.
11. 25-03734: Alameda Police personnel deployed a Drone after receiving a shots-fired call at a large public gathering.
12. 25-04368: Alameda Police personnel deployed a Drone in support of a search warrant operation.
13. 25-05769: Alameda Police personnel deployed a Drone to assist in the search of an at-risk missing person.
14. 25-05858: Alameda Police personnel deployed a Drone to assist in locating a suspect who brandished a weapon.
15. 25-06298: Alameda Police personnel deployed a Drone to assist the California Highway Patrol, who were searching for an armed wanted suspect.
16. 2512290061: Alameda Police personnel deployed a Drone after receiving a report of an explosion on the roof of a building.
Complaints or Concerns Received
No complaints or comments were received through APD’s website portal.
Audit Results and Reports of Violations of Military Equipment and Actions Taken
An equipment audit was completed in January 2026, and all equipment was accounted for and confirmed to be in its assigned storage areas. An audit of the ERV and Drone usage was completed, and no policy or procedural violations were found.
APD received no reports of violations of military equipment.
Total Cost and Funding Source
The total cost associated with military equipment in 2025 was $209,332.08.
• Maintenance and emissions testing for the ERV: $ 589.41
• Purchase of .223 ammunition: $ 16,236.67
• Purchase of .308 ammunition: $ 0
• Training associated with Drones: $ 106,065.00
o APD personnel collectively received 715 hours of training. Nine (9) Officers trained for 555 hours, and two (2) sergeants trained for 160 hours. Personnel also attended a training class that cost $3,225.00
• Purchase of Drone equipment: $0
• Training on the handling and use of semi-automatic rifles*: $ 83,216.00
o APD personnel collectively received 580 hours of training. SWAT Personnel, consisting of five officers and three sergeants, collectively trained for 210 hours, while all other in-service sworn personnel, consisting of 49 officers and seven sergeants, collectively trained for 370 hours.
*Accounting for training costs is fluid, as personnel, their ranks, and assignments change throughout the year. Costs were calculated using a total compensation rate of $136.00 per hour for officers and $171.00 per hour for sergeants.
Quantities of Each Type of Military Equipment
An equipment inventory is attached to this report. (See Exhibit 4)
Intent to Acquire Additional Military Equipment
APD intends to acquire .223-caliber and .308-caliber ammunition to replenish inventory and conduct required training. APD also intends to purchase 40mm foam projectiles for training at the police academy and incidents requiring less-lethal options, and noise-flash diversionary devices for in-service SWAT training and operations.
APD also intends to purchase two new drones to supplement its drone program and six new 40mm single-shot less-lethal launchers to replace its patrol less-lethal shotgun program. The new launchers are more up to date, industry standard equipment to replace the outdated shotguns (See Quote shown in Exhibit 3). If the 40mm single-shot launchers are approved, the less-lethal shotguns will be removed from service. The purchase of the Drones, 40 mm launchers, and ammunition will be covered by existing department funds.
ALTERNATIVES
• Accept the Annual Military Equipment Use Report
• Do not accept the Annual Military Equipment Use Report
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no financial impact from accepting or rejecting the Annual Military Equipment Report.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This action is consistent with the Alameda Municipal Code and California Government Code § 7072 (AB 481).
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This action does not constitute a “project” as defined in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378, and therefore no further CEQA analysis is required.
CLIMATE IMPACT
No identifiable climate impacts or climate action opportunities are associated with the subject of this report.
RECOMMENDATION
Accept the annual military equipment report for the Alameda Police Department and continue to allow the department to use and maintain the equipment previously adopted.
Respectfully submitted,
Nishant Joshi, Chief of Police
By,
Jeffery Emmitt, Police Captain
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Ross McCarthy, Finance Director
Exhibits:
1. Military Equipment Policy 706
2. Deployment List
3. Quotes for Drones and 40mm Single-Shot Launchers
4. Weapon Inventory, Equipment, and Maintenance Costs