Board adopts sheriff’s military equipment use policy as state law requires; policy lists drones, armored vehicles and responses

The Monterey County Board of Supervisors voted June 3 to adopt the sheriff’s 2024 military equipment use policy, a requirement under state law set by Assembly Bill 481 that seeks to increase transparency when local law enforcement acquires and uses so‑called qualifying equipment.

Chief Deputy Jason Smith presented the sheriff’s report to the board. He summarized the equipment covered and explained the policy and reporting obligations: "This is the 2024 military equipment use policy and summary report out. Assembly bill 481 ... requires the sheriff's office to obtain approval by the board of supervisors through adoption of military equipment use policy," Smith said.

The policy the board adopted lists specific equipment categories the sheriff’s office owns or may seek, including unmanned aircraft systems (drones) — the sheriff reported 10 drones in use for patrol, search and rescue, tactical response and bomb squad operations — and nine vehicles in qualifying categories including one MRAP, five Humvees (used for patrol and high‑water rescue), a Bearcat armored vehicle and a mobile command post. The sheriff’s report also cited nonlethal launchers, breaching charges used by the bomb squad, specialized rifles and other items. The department reported 86 deployments of qualifying equipment in the last year; deployments are documented by the office and governed by existing Lexipol policies covering use of force, unmanned aerial systems, crisis response and complaint handling.

The board’s action followed public comment and questions about notice and attendance at the sheriff’s prior annual meeting. Several supervisors endorsed the policy while stressing the value of public transparency: Supervisor Chris Church urged that the annual reports be widely advertised and said the policy’s public notice could be expanded; other supervisors emphasized that equipment is used for rescues, flood response and search‑and‑rescue as well as tactical incidents.

Why it matters: Assembly Bill 481 requires local agencies to adopt a publicly‑posted military equipment use policy and to report annually on acquisitions and deployments. The board’s adoption satisfies that statutory requirement and creates a local public record of what equipment is owned, the stated purposes, and the internal policies that govern use.

What’s next: The policy will be posted on the sheriff’s office web page and is subject to annual reporting to the board. The sheriff’s office said it will continue to provide briefings and respond to public questions about deployments and training.