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 - Deployments and training: The chief reported 17 Bearcat deployments, about half of which were for community events; 16 uses of light‑sound devices (8 training, 8 operational); and 30 shotguns converted for less‑lethal beanbag use. He told the council that converting the department's shotguns to launch beanbag projectiles was intended to provide more immediate less‑lethal tools in patrol cars. - Ammunition and training: The department reported using about 15,000 rounds for training in 2024. The chief said officers must complete a 24‑hour POST‑approved rifle course for patrol rifle use. - Equipment purchases and costs: Items listed in the presentation and the approximate 2024 costs the department reported included: conversion of shotguns (about $13,000), ammunition ($7,000), less‑lethal munitions (about $1,600), light‑sound diversionary devices ($4,300) and two interior drones ($4,200). The chief said the department budgets roughly $20,000 a year for wheels and tires for the Bearcat and that the department expects to replace wheels as needed rather than repair multi‑piece wheels for safety reasons. - Patrol rifles: The department received council authorization earlier this year to upgrade patrol rifles; the chief said 33 patrol rifles and one precision rifle were approved at a total cost of about $94,000 and that the new rifles should arrive within about 60 days. - Drones: The chief said the department plans to phase in two exterior drones, flown by personnel undergoing FAA Part 107 certification, and to coordinate operations with nearby military base airspace and Kern County Fire. He described operational limits (typical operating altitude cited at 400 feet, reduced to 200 feet north of Drummond) and said the department would notify base air traffic and follow safety procedures. The department also acquired interior drones in 2024 for use inside structures.

Public questions and council discussion Council members asked about safety and risk for exterior drone flights, including questions about power lines and collision avoidance. The chief said exterior drones have collision‑avoidance systems, that pilots are trained to launch to a safe elevation before maneuvering, and that the department does not plan to request utility lines be de‑energized for drone operations.

Councilman Rajaratnam asked whether new military‑listed items must come to the council before purchase; the chief responded that the annual AB 481 presentation documents current holdings and that any new AB 481 items would be presented to the council before acquisition. The chief said body‑worn cameras are not AB 481 items.

Council action The council voted 5-0 to accept the department's AB 481 report as presented.

What remains open The chief said the department will seek public input on exterior drone use and continue coordination with the base and other agencies; the department also expects to report on any future chemical agent purchases or other items triggered by specialized instructor training in next year's report.

Ending note Council members thanked the department for the presentation and emphasized the importance of training, transparency and community trust in use of these tools.