Effective January 1, 2022, Assembly Bill (AB) 481, now codified in Chapter 12.8 (commencing with Section 7070) is added to Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code, requires law enforcement agencies to obtain approval of the applicable governing body (City Council), by adoption of a military equipment use policy and ordinance prior to taking certain actions relating to the funding, acquisition, or use of military equipment, as defined in the bill.

Also, before seeking the approval or re-approval of the governing body, a law enforcement agency shall submit a proposed military equipment use policy to the governing body and make those documents available on the law enforcement agency’s internet website at least 30 days prior to any public hearing concerning the military equipment at issue.

2022 Initial Approval

For initial approval of already acquired military equipment, the 2022 draft policy was posted on March 16, 2022, and the Davis City Council held the public hearing on adoption of the proposed policy on April 19, 2022. At the April 19, 2022, meeting Council directed staff to make two minor changes to the draft policy before final adoption. Further information regarding the April 19, 2022, Council action can be found in the April 2022 Staff Report.

The 2022 policy and ordinance governing military equipment was finalized by the City Council on May 10, 2022. Further information can be found in the May 2022 Staff Report.

2023 Annual Re-Approval

The 2023 annual use report and the 2023 draft policy were posted on the Police Department website on May 8, 2023, and a required public meeting was held at the Davis Police Department on May 23, 2023 @ 5:30 pm.

The City Council public hearing for the 2023 annual report and reauthorization ordinance occurred on June 20, 2023. The staff report can be found in the Military Equipment Annual Report and Reauthorization (2023) document. 

The 2023 City Council approved policy can be found in the Department Policy 3.22.

2023 Approval for New Equipment

The Police Department will be asking the City Council to approve the purchase and use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and to approve the purchase and use of 4 additional patrol rifles on December 5, 2023. The Staff Report, the draft UAS Policy, the draft Military Equipment Policy, and the proposed Military Equipment Ordinance were posted on the Police Department website on October 30, 2023.  

Any member of the public can register a question or concern regarding military use equipment by contacting the Department at policeweb@cityofdavis.org. A response to the question or concern shall be completed by the Department in a timely manner.

2024 Approval of New Equipment

On January 9, 2024, the Davis City Council approved the purchase and use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and approved the purchase and use of 4 additional patrol rifles. The approved Military Equipment Policy, and the approved Military Equipment Ordinance were posted on the Police Department website on January 10, 2024.  

Any member of the public can register a question or concern regarding military use equipment by contacting the Department at policeweb@cityofdavis.org. A response to the question or concern shall be completed by the Department in a timely manner.

2024 Annual Re-Approval

The 2024 annual use report and the 2024 draft policy were posted on the Police Department website on May 6, 2024, and a required public meeting was held at the Davis Police Department on May 28, 2024 @ 5:30 pm.

The City Council public hearing for the 2023 annual report and reauthorization ordinance occurred on June 4, 2024. The staff report can be found in the Military Equipment Annual Report and Reauthorization (2024) document. 

The 2024 City Council approved policy can be found in the Department Policy 3.22.