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Merced Police publish annual AB 481 equipment report; open house planned this weekend
Summary
Police Chief Stanfield presented the department's required annual AB 481 report, listing drones, tactical/bomb robots, an Avenger SWAT truck pending replacement, rifles and plans to convert shotguns to less-lethal beanbag systems; the department will host an open house to display equipment on Oct. 25.
Police Chief Stanfield presented the Merced Police Department's annual AB 481 military-equipment report Oct. 20, explaining the inventory, rationale and complaint process and inviting the public to an open house on Oct. 25 to view listed items.
Stanfield summarized highlights available in the 40-page report (to be posted online): approximately a dozen drones across four models; two tactical robots used by SWAT; two bomb robots (the department is the bomb squad for Mariposa, Merced and parts of Fresno counties); one aging Avenger SWAT truck (built 2006) with a replacement ordered (expected Q1 of next year); a mobile command post (purchased 2021); and a range of firearms, including AR-style rifles and precision rifles. He also said the department is converting its shotgun fleet to beanbag-style less-lethal configurations and described the department's complaint intake process using the Mark43 system.
Chief Stanfield emphasized the report explains why items are possessed, lifespan, purchase cost and a narrative on intended use. He invited the public to the department's open house and said the document would be available on the department's website, and that staff would update the report if new equipment is added.
The presentation was informational and no council action was required.
