Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Police report shows no field uses of military‑designated equipment; department logged training costs
Summary
South Pasadena Police reported no field deployment of equipment categorized under California’s military‑equipment statute during the reporting period; the department recorded modest training costs for 40mm less‑lethal training rounds.
Sergeant Andrew (Andy) DuBois of the South Pasadena Police Department presented the department’s annual military‑equipment use report on Oct. 15, saying that, during the reporting period (June 2024–Sept. 2025), the department did not field‑deploy military‑designated equipment. DuBois said the department maintains a limited inventory of items identified under state law, including 40mm less‑lethal launchers and training projectiles, noise‑flash diversionary devices (flash bangs), and a small number of precision rifles; he said patrol rifles have been assigned to officers since 2005 and that none of the equipment was acquired through federal surplus programs.
DuBois told the council that the only recorded activity in the reporting period was department training on the 40mm less‑lethal system using training rounds in a controlled environment. He said there were no complaints or policy violations tied to these items and no officer‑involved shootings associated with the equipment. The reported training expense for the period was $1,681.13, which DuBois said covered reloadable training rounds; he added the department expects to purchase replacement less‑lethal projectiles as existing inventory approaches or exceeds warranty life cycles.
Council members asked clarifying questions about inventory records, acquisition dates and accounting. Staff acknowledged older acquisition dates for patrol rifles (the department first issued patrol rifles around 2005) and said staff will include acquisition dates and lifecycle information in follow‑up materials. DuBois said the department participates in ongoing training to ensure safe and appropriate use and emphasized the department maintains the equipment to meet operational needs and mutual‑aid responsibilities.
City staff described the AB 41 reporting and public‑oversight process that requires agencies to present equipment inventories, usage, training and costs; staff said the department will present the item to the Public Safety Commission for additional public input before returning to council for any ordinance adjustments. No policy change was adopted at the Oct. 15 meeting; staff scheduled further public outreach and a future council item to finalize any ordinance revisions.
