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SCCPS - ACTION ITEM: (1) Review the Culver City Police Department Military Equipment Annual Report (2024-2025) Pursuant to Assembly Bill 481; (2) Receive Community Input and Questions Regarding the Military Equipment Annual Report and CCPD’s Funding, Acquisition, or Use of Military Equipment, Pursuant to Government Code Section 7072(b); and (3) Provide Recommendations to the Chief of Police regarding the Military Equipment Annual Report and Related Practices, Protocols, Policies and Procedures As Deemed Appropriate.
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Meeting Date: October 28, 2025
Contact Person/Dept: Luis Martinez, Captain / Police Department
Phone Number: (310) 253 - 6391
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Attachments: Yes [X] No []
Public Notification: (e-mail) Meetings & Agendas - Standing City Council Police Subcommittee (10/27/2025); (posted) Police Department website (09/25/2025)
Department Approval: Jason Sims, Chief of Police (09/25/2025)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Standing City Council Police Subcommittee (1) review the Culver City Police Department Military Equipment Annual Report (2024-2025) pursuant to Assembly Bill 481; (2) receive any community input and questions regarding the Military Equipment Annual Report and CCPD’s funding, acquisition, or use of military equipment, pursuant to Government Code Section 7072(b); and (3) provide recommendations to the Chief of Police regarding the Military Equipment Annual Report and related practices, protocols, policies and procedures as deemed appropriate.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
On September 30, 2021, Governor Newsom signed into law Assembly Bill 481 (AB 481 or the Bill), codified at Government Code § 7070 through 7075. AB 481 requires a law enforcement agency (LEA) to obtain approval from the applicable governing body, via adoption of a “military equipment” use policy by ordinance, prior to the LEA funding, acquiring, or using equipment deemed military equipment as defined in AB 481.
The term “military equipment,” as used in AB 481, in fact, does not necessarily indicate the equipment has been used by or acquired through the military. Items deemed to be “military equipment” by AB 481 are used as a component of overall best practices for LEAs throughout the country. These tools have been tested in the field and are used by LEAs to enhance public and officer safety. None of the equipment in the Culver City Police Department’s (CCPD) inventory has been obtained from the military, nor is it solely designated for military use.
Pursuant to AB 481, items deemed to be “military equipment” include, but are not limited to, unmanned aerial or ground vehicles, armored vehicles, command and control vehicles, pepper balls, less lethal shotguns, less-lethal 40mm projectile launchers, and flashbangs.
On September 12, 2022, City Council adopted Ordinance No. 2022-005 of the City of Culver City adding Subchapter 3.04 to Title 3, Chapter 3.04 of the Culver City Municipal Code, Governing the Use of Military Equipment by the Culver City Police Department (the “Ordinance”) and approving the Military Equipment Use Policy (the “Policy”) pursuant to Assembly Bill 481. On both October 9, 2023, and October 14, 2024, City Council renewed the Ordinance and approved the Policy.
Annual Requirements
Government Code § 7071(e)(1) provides that “the governing body shall review any ordinance that it has adopted pursuant to this section … at least annually” and vote on whether to “renew” the ordinance. Further, Government Code § 7072 provides that the LEA must submit an annual military equipment report on an annual basis to the governing body.
Per Government Code § 7072(a), the annual report must include the following:
(1) A summary of how the military equipment was used and the purpose of its use.
(2) A summary of any complaints or concerns received concerning the military
equipment.
(3) The results of any internal audits, any information about violations of the military
equipment use policy, and any actions taken in response.
(4) The total annual cost for each type of military equipment, including acquisition,
personnel, training, transportation, maintenance, storage, upgrade, and other
ongoing costs, and from what source funds will be provided for the military
equipment in the calendar year following submission of the annual military
equipment report.
(5) The quantity possessed for each type of military equipment.
(6) If the LEA intends to acquire additional military equipment in the next year, the
quantity sought for each type of military equipment.
Additionally, Government Code § 7071(e)(2) states that “the governing body shall determine, based on the annual military equipment report submitted,” whether each type of military equipment identified in the report complies with the original standards of approval set forth in the statute. The standards in Government Code § 7071 include:
(A) The military equipment is necessary because there is no reasonable alternative that
can achieve the same objective of officer and civilian safety.
(B) The proposed military equipment use policy will safeguard the public’s welfare,
safety, civil rights, and civil liberties.
(C) If purchasing the equipment, the equipment is reasonably cost effective compared to
available alternatives that can achieve the same objective of officer and civilian
safety.
(D) Prior military equipment use complied with the military equipment use policy that was
in effect at the time, or if prior uses did not comply with the accompanying military equipment use policy, corrective action has been taken to remedy nonconforming uses and ensure future compliance.
In addition to preparing and submitting an annual report, pursuant to Government Code
§ 7072 (b), the LEA is required to hold a community meeting where the general public may discuss and ask questions regarding the annual military equipment report and the LEA’s funding, acquisition, or use of military equipment.
DISCUSSION
In compliance with Assembly Bill 481, CCPD completed an Annual Report regarding use of Military Equipment (Attachment 1), all of which was funded or acquired through Council-approved annual budgets. The availability and use of Military Equipment (as defined in Government Code Section 7070) enables the Police Department to minimize risk to members of the community and officers during high-risk incidents while fulfilling its mission to protect life and property. The Annual Report includes an inventory detailing each type of military equipment possessed by CCPD, its quantity, authorized use, fiscal impact, and training requirements. The report includes the number of instances where military equipment was utilized by CCPD personnel from September 12, 2024, through September 11, 2025.
As part of the Standing City Council Police Subcommittee’s October 28, 2025, meeting, the Police Department will host a community engagement meeting where community members are encouraged to attend, provide input, and ask questions of CCPD staff and the subcommittee on CCPD’s military equipment annual report and the funding, acquisition, or use of military equipment. CCPD will provide a presentation on the importance of Military Equipment and the instances where this equipment was utilized in the last 12 months.
Prior to seeking the full City Council’s renewal of the Ordinance and approval of the Policy, CCPD is requesting the Standing City Council Police Subcommittee to do as follows: review the Annual Report, as well as the existing Ordinance (Attachment 2); receive comments and questions from the community regarding the Annual Report and the funding, acquisition, or use of military equipment; and make recommendations to the Chief of Police regarding the Annual Report or CCPD’s use of military equipment, including but not limited CCPD’s use of military equipment and neighboring agencies’ use of the same equipment when providing mutual aid during exigent circumstances.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
There is no fiscal impact associated with this item. There are no new financial considerations for replacing or replenishing existing military equipment and munitions.
ATTACHMENTS
1. 2025-10-28 - ATT Military Equipment Use Annual Report (2024-2025)
2. 2025-10-28 - ATT Ordinance 2022-005 Military Equipment
MOTION
That the Standing City Council Police Subcommittee:
1. Review the 2024-2025 Culver City Police Department Military Equipment Annual Report Pursuant to AB 481;
2. Receive any community input and questions regarding the Military Equipment Annual Report and CCPD’s funding, acquisition, or use of military equipment, pursuant to Government Code Section 7072(b); and
3. Provide recommendations to the Chief of Police as deemed appropriate.