Tustin
City Council
Agenda Item 5
5. ANNUAL REPORT ON THE TUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT’S USE OF
MILITARY EQUIPMENT PER CALIFORNIA ASSEMBLY BILL 481
Assembly Bill 481 requires the Tustin Police Department to seek City
Council approval by ordinance for the funding, acquisition, and use of
equipment defined by the law as "military equipment." This legislation also
requires law enforcement agencies to submit to the City Council an
annual report outlining a summary of the use of the equipment and the
purpose for its use, any complaints or concerns received concerning the
military equipment, results of any internal audits or violations and any
actions taken in response, the total annual costs for the equipment, the
quantity possessed by the agency, and the intention to purchase
additional equipment in the following year. In addition, within 30 days of
submitting and publicly releasing the annual report, a well-publicized and
community engagement meeting must be held to allow for public
comments. This report outlines staff’s work in complying with the law and
request for continued utilization of the Department’s military equipment
and approval of the Department’s military equipment policy under Tustin
Police Department Policy 706- Military Equipment Policy.
Recommendation: 1. To receive and file the annual report on the
Department's use of military equipment for calendar year 2025
(Attachment 1); 2. To receive and file the proposed version of Tustin
Police Department Policy 706 - Military Equipment Policy (Attachment 2),
3. To direct the Tustin Police Department to post Tustin Police Department
Policy 706 (Attachment 2) on the Department's website; 4. To direct the
Tustin Police Department to hold a well-publicized and conveniently
located meeting to give the public an opportunity to discuss the annual
military equipment report; and 5. To direct staff to set the matter for a
public hearing regarding an ordinance to renew the Tustin Police
Department Policy 706 which is at least 30 days from today's date. Fiscal
Impact: There is no fiscal impact associated with this item.