TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to approve the acquisition of previously authorized military equipment, including Defense Technology 40mm Exact Impact sponge munitions and ammunition, in compliance with Assembly Bill 481 and the Long Beach Police Department’s Special Order. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
On September 30, 2021, Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill (AB) 481, which codified protocols for law enforcement agencies regarding the funding, acquisition, use, and reporting of specific pieces of law enforcement equipment identified under Government Code Section 7070. Among the various requirements in the bill, it stipulates that each law enforcement agency in the State establish a policy on the use of “military equipment” identified for the governing body’s approval by ordinance. The Long Beach Department has fulfilled the above requirements by creating a Military Equipment Special Order containing equipment acquired prior to January 1, 2022; obtaining adoption from the City Council on October 18, 2022 after a comprehensive review; providing an online resource for community questions/complaints/engagement and assigning the responsibility of the department’s first Annual Report to the Office of Constitutional Policing.
AB 481 requires law enforcement agencies to obtain approval from the agency’s governing body before purchasing, raising funds for, or acquiring military equipment. The requested items are not new items to be added to the Special Order; authorization is needed because the purchase exceeds the 15 percent threshold stipulated in the Special Order. Per the Special Order, “When stocks of military equipment have reached significantly low levels or have been exhausted, the Department may order up to 15 percent of stock in a calendar year without City Council approval to maintain essential availability for the Department's needs.” Because this request will exceed that 15 percent threshold, City Council approval is requested for...
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