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Sheriff's office showcases drones, LRAD and armored vehicle uses; board accepts annual report
Summary
Butte County Sheriff's Office presented its AB 41-required annual military-equipment report, described operational uses of drones, a Bearcat armored vehicle, LRAD speakers and less-lethal munitions in 2024 incidents, and requested permission to renew the ordinance; the board accepted the report and waived first reading of the ordinance renewal.
Sheriff's Office staff provided the Board of Supervisors with the department's annual military-equipment report and a live "show-and-tell" at the March 11 meeting, explaining uses of equipment defined as "military" under AB 41 and outlining planned acquisitions.
The presentation included a summary of 2024 operational incidents in which equipment was deployed: drones (DJI Mavic used in 79 instances), a Lenco Bearcat armored vehicle, LRAD (long-range acoustic device) speakers used to communicate with barricaded suspects, flashbang diversionary devices, and the use of CS (tear) gas in several high-risk search warrant operations. Sheriff's staff said the department recorded roughly nine incidents involving the Bearcat and that drones were increasingly used for overwatch and search operations.
"As you can see, we had 13 immigration-status requests" (Sheriff, separate item), staff said in context of broader law-enforcement operations; on the equipment item, staff said the LRAD's effective range and the operational benefits of drones for thermal imaging and overwatch allowed safer standoff distances and safer resolutions. Examples cited included a Gridley-area shooting suspect located with drone infrared and an Oroville hotel barricade resolved without further injury after coordinated SWAT tactics.
Staff said there were no complaints or reported policy violations related to the equipment use in 2024 and that ongoing oversight occurs through a chain-of-command approval process. Proposed acquisitions included a Lenco Bearcat G3 (already approved in December using asset-forfeiture funds), additional large and small drones and several 40mm less-lethal single-shot launchers.
The board moved to accept the annual report as information and to waive first reading of the ordinance renewal; the motion passed on a voice vote.
Board members asked whether LRADs are suitable for emergency evacuations; sheriff's staff said the agency generally uses vehicle PA systems for evacuations and that the LRAD is used primarily for negotiation with barricaded subjects because there is only one unit available.
