Chino council approves police military-equipment policy required by AB 481

The Chino City Council on March 4 adopted Ordinance No. 2025-2, approving an updated Chino Police Department policy governing the acquisition and use of equipment covered by Assembly Bill 481 (AB 481). The ordinance passed on a 4-0 vote with Councilmember Comstock absent.

The policy, presented by Lieutenant Aaron Kelleher and Chief Kevin Minson, lists items the department says fall under AB 481's definition of "military equipment" and describes the department's procedures for acquisition, use, public reporting and annual community engagement. Lt. Kelleher noted AB 481 was signed into law in January 2022 and requires agencies to adopt and publish a military equipment use policy and file an annual equipment report.

The policy identifies vehicles and tools that the department says are commercial, off-the-shelf items rather than military surplus. Kelleher told the council the department does not participate in the Defense Department's surplus property program (the 1033 program) and described several categories covered by the policy: a mobile command center (a converted Class A motorhome), a tactical response vehicle, an armored rescue vehicle (Bearcat), SWAT support vans, unmanned aircraft systems (drones), less-lethal launchers and projectiles, chemical agents for riot/barricade situations, diversionary devices (so-called flashbangs), a long-range acoustic device (LRAD) and tactical robots. He also noted the department's patrol rifles meet the statutory definition of military equipment but are purchased from civilian manufacturers.

Kelleher said the stated purposes for the listed equipment include officer and public safety, de-escalation and extending officers's reach and vision in dangerous or confined situations. "We utilize [this equipment] to deescalate, to gain space, to be able to increase the safety to our community, to our officers, and ultimately, in the pursuit of the preservation of life," he said.

The staff report included information the department is required to disclose under AB 481, including quantities, typical use scenarios, lifespan and estimated costs. The department also reported it held a community engagement meeting on Feb. 20 that drew about seven members of the public and produced no substantive comments.

City Attorney Michael Galante read the ordinance by title before the council voted. The motion to adopt Ordinance No. 2025-2 was made by Councilman Flores and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Burton; the council recorded the motion passing 4 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain, 1 absent.

The ordinance and the department's annual equipment report will be posted on the Police Department's policy site as required by state law. The council did not direct any changes to the report at the meeting.

The vote concludes the city's annual AB 481 compliance step for 2025; the law requires ongoing reporting and periodic community engagement under the statute.