TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Oscar Ortiz - Sheriff-Coroner
REPORT BY: Rollie Soria - Sheriff's Administrative Manager
SUBJECT: Annual AB 481 Use Policy and Equipment Report
RECOMMENDATION
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Adopt a Resolution reviewing and reaffirming the continued use of certain law enforcement equipment in accordance with California State Assembly Bill 481 and reaffirming Napa County Ordinance No. 1476 relating to the Military Equipment Policy and approving the annual military equipment report. (No Fiscal Impact)
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BACKGROUND
California State Assembly Bill 481 (AB 481) was authored by Assembly member David Chu (D-San Francisco) to address funding, acquisition and use of certain law enforcement equipment. The intent of AB 481 stems from the Department of Defense Law Enforcement Support 1033 Program (1033 Program), which transfers military equipment to non-military law enforcement agencies. The Sheriff's Office does not participate in the 1033 Program. The legislation, however, also creates more transparency, oversight and accountability in the use and acquisition of other law enforcement equipment that could be described as "military equipment" by language in AB 481. Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 481 into law on September 30, 2021.
AB 481 requires California law enforcement agencies, including Napa County Sheriff's Office, to obtain applicable governing body approval of a military equipment use policy by ordinance and to seek approval for continued use of any qualifying equipment acquired prior to January 1, 2022, and annually thereafter. On April 19, 2022, the Board of Supervisors conducted a first reading of Ordinance No. 1476, approving the Sheriff's Office military equipment use policy and authorizing the continued use of certain law enforcement equipment. A second reading and adoption of Ordinance No. 1476 occurred on May 3, 2022.
AB 481 also requires the Board of Supervisors to annually review the ordinance approving the funding, acquisition, or use of m...
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