Rubber bullets. Tear gas. Armored cars. The definition of “military equipment” outlined in Assembly Bill 481 includes resources accessible to police departments in many cities across the state, including Santa Maria.
The legislation became effective in January and requires every law enforcement agency in California to draft a formal policy on its use of military equipment. Each agency is also required to get policy approval from its respective governing body, Santa Maria Police Chief Marc Schneider explained at the Santa Maria City Council’s April 19 meeting.
Schneider proposed that the City Council adopt the Santa Maria Police Department’s (SMPD) new military equipment use policy by ordinance, in order to allow the department to continue using “military equipment,” which he described as a broad term.
“Under the government code, that definition has expanded,” Schneider said during the meeting. “It’s not solely military-acquired equipment.”
As part of the ordinance, the SMPD cataloged its current inventory of military equipment, and will consistently update the list when it acquires new equipment. So far, the inventory includes six drones, two BearCat armored vehicles, 500 beanbag rounds, more than a dozen launchers (weapons used to launch impact rounds and chemical munitions), and several other items.
The list of equipment is available on SMPD’s website and includes a description of each item from its manufacturer, details on each item’s capabilities, and “the purposes and authorized uses for which the department proposes to use the equipment,” according to a city staff report.
Schneider said that the public is encouraged to provide feedback on the inventory list. Comments, complaints, or concerns can be emailed to police@cityofsantamaria.org.
Councilmember Carlos Escobedo said he is in favor of the department posting its inventory of military equipment online for the public to view and comment on, and described the initiative as “as a step forward into transparency.”
“When you review the legislation, it is for transparency,” Schneider said of AB 481.
The SMPD’s proposed policy on military equipment use is also defined as an effort to “safeguard the public’s welfare, safety, civil rights, and civil liberties,” according to the staff report.
In a 5-0 vote, the City Council unanimously approved the military equipment use policy.
Schneider said that the City Council will get the chance to reevaluate the new protocols in a year, as the SMPD is required to produce an annual report on how the military equipment was used throughout the year and any public complaints received.
This article appears in May 5-12, 2022.