TITLE
Recommendation to authorize the Long Beach Police Department to continue the use of military equipment as outlined by California Assembly Bill (AB) 481. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
On September 30, 2021, Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill (AB) 481 into law, which established protocols for law enforcement agencies regarding the funding, acquisition, use, and reporting of specific pieces of law enforcement equipment 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 equipment identified in the statute for the governing body’s approval by Ordinance.
The AB 481-defined list of military equipment currently in the Long Beach Police Department’s (LBPD) possession is included in the proposed policy (Attachment), as well as each item’s purpose, authorized use, expected lifespan and fiscal impact updated on an annual basis. It is the intent of the Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) that there be legally enforceable safeguards including transparency, oversight, and accountability measures in place to ensure the public’s welfare, safety, civil rights, and civil liberties are uplifted before equipment is funded, acquired, or used.
To comply with the various requirements mandated by AB 481, LBPD has:
· Established a Military Equipment Use policy as ascribed by AB 481.
· Published an AB 481 webpage on May 6, 2022, which is more than 30 days ahead of the planned public meeting. Additionally, on May 6, 2022 a press release was issued which notified the public and local media outlets of the new webpage, the proposed equipment use policy, and outlined how the community can submit questions or concerns.
· Scheduled a community meeting after publicly releasing the equipment report on the webpage. In consultation with the City Attorney’s Office, following a 30-day public review period, LBPD’s proposed equipment use policy is now presented to the City Counc...
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