Title
Recommendation to Accept the 2024 Annual Military Equipment Use 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: Jennifer Ott, 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 2024 report to educate the community, report to the City Council, and comply with the requirements outlined in AB 481.
APD has publicized a community engagement meeting to be held on April 9, 2025, 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 our jurisdiction when providing mutual assistance during exigent circumstances. On March 4, 2025, City Council approved a revision to APD's Military Equipment Use Policy. (See Exhibit 1). And on June 4, 2024, City Council approved the acquisition of uncrewed aerial systems (UAS).
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 r...
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