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San José accepts annual military-equipment report; council authorizes purchases contingent on funding
Summary
The council accepted the San José Police Department's 2024 military-equipment report and approved authorization requests for acquisitions (drones, bomb-disposal robots, and a new chemical-agent deployment system) subject to available funds; public commenters criticized use of funds for military-style gear.
The San José City Council accepted the police department's annual military-equipment report for calendar 2024 and approved staff requests to authorize future purchases contingent on funding availability.
Captain Randy Torres, who oversees special operations and the department's military-equipment inventory, told the council that the department documented 189 events involving military-class equipment across 246 deployments in 2024. He also reported 671 unmanned aerial system (drone) deployments in 2024, of which 505 supported police activities and the remainder were training or community events. "As many of you know, this discussion is governed by state legislation approved in September 2021 to increase oversight and transparency around city acquisitions," Torres said, referencing the statutory framework that requires public reporting and council review.
The staff packet listed equipment additions and proposed acquisitions that primarily focus on drones, robotics for bomb mitigation, and related gear; the department noted partial internal funding and said further purchases would occur only if additional funds are appropriated. During public comment, a resident identified as Tina criticized the proposed purchases, citing personal injury from less-lethal munitions and calling the purchases an inappropriate use of public funds for "weapons." She asked, "Who are you planning to use these pepper bullets on?" The council discussed the policy framework for use, training and supervision; Chief Paul Joseph and other officials stated that equipment use is governed by state law, department policy and training standards.
Outcome: Council approved acceptance of the annual report and authorization requests; the motion passed unanimously with one councilmember noted absent in the roll call. Staff said documentation and procurement would be posted publicly on the department's website and purchases would proceed only if and when funds are allocated.
