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Resolution approving the 2025 Annual Military Equipment Report for the South San Francisco Police Department in compliance with Assembly Bill 481.
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WHEREAS, on September 30, 2021, Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law Assembly Bill 481 relating to the use of military equipment by California law enforcement agencies; and
WHEREAS, Assembly Bill 481 seeks to provide transparency, oversight, and an opportunity for meaningful public input on decisions regarding whether and how military equipment is funded, acquired, or used by law enforcement agencies; and
WHEREAS, the Military Equipment Policy was introduced during a public meeting on June 22,
2022; and
WHEREAS, the Military Equipment Policy was approved by City Council on July 27, 2022; and
WHEREAS, in addition to approving the Military Equipment Policy, law enforcement agencies shall submit an annual military equipment report for each type of military equipment approved by the governing body; and
WHEREAS, a part of the annual report requires the Police Department to facilitate a community meeting regarding the Military Equipment Policy and provide information from the previous year’s annual report; and
WHEREAS, on April 20, 2026, the Department hosted a community engagement meeting, advertised in English and Spanish; and
WHEREAS, the meeting focused on information from the 2025 Military Equipment Annual Report, where questions were answered regarding funding sources, circumstances influencing equipment use, and training requirements; and
WHEREAS, during the 2025 calendar year, there were 551 incidents involving Unmanned Aircraft Systems (Drones), and seven incidents when other equipment from the Military Equipment Policy was associated with an incident; and
WHEREAS, the Police Department did not receive any complaints and there were no violations of department policy; and
WHEREAS, additionally, there were no exigent circumstances in 2025 requiring the temporary use of non-approved equipment due to exigent circumstances; and
WHEREAS, the South San Francisco Police Department 2025 Military Equipment Annual Report is attached as Exhibit 1.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of South San Francisco hereby approves the 2025 Military Equipment Annual Report in compliance with Assembly Bill 481 that will allow the Police Department to continue to use vital equipment that maintains the safety for both community members and officers.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that it is recommended that the City Council review and approve the 2025 Military Equipment Annual Report.
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