TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Tony Conrad, Chief of Police
PREPARED BY: Jeremy Durrant, Lieutenant - Police
SUBJECT: Assembly Bill 481 - Military Equipment Policy
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RECOMMENDATION
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Receive, review and file the annual military equipment report; and
Approve the renewal of Ordinance No. 577-22 and adopt the findings therein.
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PRIOR ACTION/VOTE
On April 19, 2022, the City Council received a presentation on Assembly Bill 481 (Non-Action Item).
On May 3, 2022, the City Council continued the item to the May 17, 2022, City Council Meeting (Vote: 3-0-2).
On May 17, 2022, the City Council held a public hearing and approved the introduction of Ordinance No. 577-22 (Vote: 5-0).
On June 7, 2022, the City Council conducted a second reading of Ordinance No. 577-22 by title only and with further reading waived (Vote: 5-0).
On May 16, 2023, the City Council approved the military equipment report and renewed Ordinance 577-22 (Vote: 5-0).
CITY COUNCIL GOAL
Provide a high level of innovative public safety.
BACKGROUND
On September 30, 2021, the Governor of the State of California approved Assembly Bill 481 (AB 481), requiring law enforcement agencies to obtain approval of the applicable governing body by adopting a military equipment use policy. The Police Department sought and obtained City Council approval of their military equipment use policy on June 7, 2022, and thereafter renewed Ordinance No. 577-22 on May 16, 2023.
AB481 further provides that the adopted policy is subject to an annual City Council review to determine whether, based on an annual military equipment report, the standards set forth in the approving ordinance have been met. The City Council may renew the authorizing ordinance, disapprove authorization for particular military equipment where standards have not been met, or require modifications to the military equipment use procedure to address any non-compliance with standards.
Finally, the bill requires the publication of the military equipment use procedure and the annual military equipment report on the Police Department’s website. The military equipment use procedure must be posted on the website at least 30 days prior to the Council meeting. This use procedure was uploaded to the Murrieta Police Department’s website on April 1, 2022, for public review and is attached hereto.
The City Council may take action to renew the existing use policy and renew the current Ordinance, propose modifications to the existing policy, or not take action to renew the existing policy and thereby cease the use and purchase of all military equipment by the Police Department.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with the recommended action.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Murrieta Annual AB 481 Report - 2023
2. Ordinance No. 577-22
3. Murrieta Police Department Policy 709