RES 2024019 - Laserfiche WebLink

Under California Assembly Bill 481, the following definitions apply only to the Pleasanton Police Department’s current military equipment inventory and potential military equipment acquisitions for operational needs. For a more detailed list of “military equipment” definitions, refer to California Government Code sections 7070(c)(1) through (16). MILITARY EQUIPMENT DEFINITIONS: The following equipment is defined in AB 481 and an overview of it and how it is used by the Pleasanton Police Department: “Unmanned, remotely piloted, powered aerial or ground vehicles” The Pleasanton Police Department owns two remotely operated robots with cameras mounted on them. They are used to search buildings during high-risk searches so that suspects can be identified and located without placing officers into dangerous or confrontational situations. These tools prevent injury to officers, suspects, and the public. They are only used during authorized searches considered to be high risk. The Pleasanton Police Department has utilized the Alameda County Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Team (colloquially called “the bomb squad”) for the investigation of suspicious or potentially explosive devices. The EOD Team utilizes remotely operated robots specifically built for explosive detection and removal. An increasingly common request by the Police Department is for the use of aerial drones operated by the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office. Alameda County drones have been used on search and rescue operations, warrant service operations, and during searches for outstanding suspects of crimes. These are strictly surveillance drones and are not weaponized. When a suspect is believed to be hiding inside a building, drones can do preliminary interior searches without sending officers inside. Drones are more capable of navigating cluttered areas than ground-based robots. This dramatically increases the safety of officers and suspects by reducing the likelihood of confrontation. “Mine-resistant ambush-protected (MRAP) vehicles or armored personnel carriers. However, police versions of standard consumer vehicles are specifically excluded.” An MRAP is a specifically designed military vehicle not utilized by the Pleasanton Police Department. The Police Department does operate an Armored Rescue Vehicle (ARV) built specifically for use by first responders. It offers ballistic protection in emergencies where an armed encounter is likely. The ARV is used to evacuate citizens from an area where a threat from an armed suspect exists. The ARV has never been deployed or used during a crowd control event such as a protest or first amendment gathering. This is not its purpose. Because the ARV is a modified consumer vehicle, there is debate about whether it qualifies under this section. The ARV has been modified to allow a breaching ram to be mounted on its front. DEFINITIONS 6 MILITARY EQUIPMENT USE REPORT 2023