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Sheriff’s office details military-equipment inventory, major uses and seeks ordinance renewal; board accepts annual report
Summary
Butte County Sheriff’s Office presented its annual report on equipment defined as ‘military’ under state law (drones, armored vehicle, LRAD, less‑lethal launchers), described operational instances and proposed continued purchases; the board accepted the report and waived first reading of an ordinance.
Butte County Sheriff’s Office staff presented the department’s annual inventory and use report under California’s AB 481/AB 1076/related statutes that define certain law-enforcement items as “military equipment.” The presentation catalogued drones, an armored BearCat vehicle, long-range acoustic device (LRAD) speakers, less‑lethal launchers (40 mm) and diversionary devices used in 2024.
Why it matters: AB-defined “military equipment” requires a public policy, annual reporting and a governing-board ordinance for continued acquisition. The subject is often controversial because of civil‑liberty concerns; the sheriff’s office framed the equipment as tools used to reduce risk to officers and civilians during barricades, high‑risk warrants and search operations.
What staff reported: The sheriff’s office said the DJI Mavic drone was used in 79 incidents and described a sample of operations in 2024 where drones, the BearCat armored vehicle, LRADs and less‑lethal munitions were deployed. Case examples included an armed-shooter barricade in the Gridley area, a high‑risk search warrant that involved introduction of chemical agent into a structure, a Super 8 hotel barricade in Oroville and narcotics searches. Staff told the board the department had not received complaints related to its use of military‑equipment items during the reporting period.
Proposed acquisitions and costs: Staff listed operational consumables and training items used in 2024 and proposed additional smaller and larger drones (1–5 each), six more single‑shot 40 mm launchers for patrol and department-owned rifles to replace previous leased DEMO (federal loan) gear. The staff estimate cited an example operational cost of about $450,000 for a landfill scale-house project earlier in the meeting but did not link that amount to military-equipment purchases.
Board action: A board member moved to accept the annual report and waive first reading of the accompanying ordinance; the motion carried on a voice vote with no recorded opposition. The ordinance renewal process will be carried forward consistent with state law.
Ending: The board accepted the report and staff said ongoing inventory and policy reviews will continue; the sheriff’s office staff also conducted a brief “show and tell” demonstration of several items for board members.
