Ridgecrest police outline military-equipment uses and training in annual AB 481 report; council signs off

Ridgecrest — The Ridgecrest Police Department presented its required annual report under Assembly Bill 481 on May 21, detailing its inventory and use of equipment categorized as "military" under state law and the department's training and costs. The City Council voted unanimously to accept the report.

The report — delivered by the department chief — listed equipment in six AB 481 categories, including an armored rescue vehicle (commonly called a Bearcat), converted less‑lethal shotguns, light‑sound diversionary devices ("flashbangs"), 40mm less‑lethal launchers, rifles, command/control vehicles and both interior and planned exterior drones. "We use our Bearcat armored rescue vehicle. We've had it for about 2 years now… we've had 17 deployments," the chief said during his presentation.

Why it matters: AB 481 (state law enacted in 2021) requires local agencies to report publicly on possession and use of equipment designated as "military." The law is intended to increase transparency about how such equipment is used and funded.

Key details and uses -…