Carmel-by-the-Sea to hold public meeting under Assembly Bill 481; city says police have no military equipment

Carmel-by-the-Sea city staff announced a public meeting next Wednesday, April 16, at 1 p.m., to comply with Assembly Bill 481 requirements, and said the city’s police department does not possess military equipment.

Assembly Bill 481, passed by the state legislature and signed by the governor several years ago, requires a public meeting and disclosure about whether local police departments hold certain types of military equipment. A city staff member said the city will hold the required meeting “right here” and will include a disclosure report on the City Council agenda on May 6.

The staff member said, referring to the required disclosure, that the department “does not” have any military equipment. No additional details on the format of the meeting or whether the disclosure will include an inventory or policy discussion were provided in the briefing.

City staff framed the meeting as a routine compliance step; they did not announce any proposed policy changes related to police equipment at the briefing. The staff member also said the public meeting will take place before the disclosure appears on the May 6 council agenda.

The announcement originated during a staff briefing of community items and was presented as a calendar and reporting item rather than a proposed ordinance or council action. No motions, votes, or directions to draft policy were recorded in the briefing notes on this item.