San Bruno renews military-equipment ordinance; police seek new drones and diversionary devices
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Summary
The City Council unanimously renewed the city—s military-equipment use ordinance after receiving the police department—s annual report; Police Chief Matt Laffine said the department reported no unauthorized uses and asked to replace aging Skydio drones and add diversionary devices for exigent incidents.
San Bruno —The City Council unanimously renewed the city—s military-equipment use ordinance Tuesday after the Police Department presented its annual equipment-use report and requested approval to acquire new drones and diversionary devices.
Police Chief Matt Laffine told the council the annual report, posted to the police transparency page in November, showed no instances of unapproved use of military-designated equipment during the reporting period. He listed four categories the department currently possesses under the state—s Assembly Bill 41 definitions: unmanned aircraft systems (drones), a command vehicle, rifles and a 40-millimeter less-lethal device.
—We do not possess any equipment obtained directly from the Department of Defense,— Laffine said, and he emphasized the department—s drones are unarmed and used for search-and-rescue and camera-based operations.
Laffine said the department proposes to update its drone fleet to Skydio X10 units because the current devices have reached end of life. He also described research into enhanced diversionary devices for time-sensitive responses to critical incidents, saying those tools can provide options when waiting for a tactical team could cost lives.
—These devices would be regulated by our policy,— Laffine said, adding the department posted its policy and report at least 30 days before the meeting as required by state law.
Mayor Rico Medina moved to receive the report and adopt a resolution renewing the ordinance; the motion passed 5-0. The council vote also approved renewing the ordinance codified in Chapter 2.52 of the municipal code and authorized the department to proceed under the policy constraints outlined in its staff report.
The police department said members of the public may send questions or complaints to militaryequipment@sanbruno.ca.gov or contact the department by phone or postal mail; the department reported it has not received any such inquiries during the current reporting period.
Next steps: the ordinance renewal is effective as a routine annual authorization under state law, and procurement of replacement drones and diversionary devices will proceed under departmental purchasing rules and the existing use policy.
