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Board reauthorizes AB 481 public safety equipment policies; adds armored Bearcat, affirms probation drone policy and district attorney equipment rules
Summary
The board reviewed AB 481 (Gov. Code) annual reports from the sheriff, probation and district attorney and approved continued use policies. It specifically added a 2024 Lenco Bearcat G3 to the sheriff's approved list and accepted the probation unmanned aerial system policy and DA policy updates.
The Placer County Board of Supervisors received annual AB 481 reports and approved upgraded public-safety equipment policies for three county law‑and‑public‑safety entities on Feb. 18.
Sheriff: Captain Josh Channel summarized the sheriff’s AB 481 annual report and requested that the board add a 2024 Lenco Bearcat G3 armored vehicle to the county’s approved public‑safety equipment list. Channel said the Bearcat is built on a commercial chassis, provides rifle‑rated ballistic protection and includes a visual cupola, hydraulic ram and emergency lighting. The board adopted the required ordinance motion and approved adding the vehicle to the county’s approved equipment list.
Probation: Senior Deputy Christina Sawyer presented the probation department’s AB 481 annual report describing the department’s unmanned aircraft system (UAS, commonly “drone”) policy. Sawyer said the probation UAS was used for community-outreach demonstrations and that probation wanted the board’s approval to retain UAS capability as an option for future field operations. The board introduced the ordinance and approved continuing probation’s UAS policy.
District Attorney: Lieutenant Vince Duto presented a brief AB 481 report on behalf of the District Attorney’s Office. Duto said the DA updated its policy and confirmed no new equipment beyond the previously authorized list was requested. The board adopted the ordinance introduction and accepted the DA annual report.
Ending: The actions formalize the county’s public‑safety equipment policies under AB 481, add the new Bearcat to the sheriff’s approved list and leave the probation and DA policies authorized for continued use; staff noted all three agencies retain monitoring and audit rights described under state law.
