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Lodi police present AB 481 military equipment report; council approves inventory and planned purchases
Summary
The Lodi Police Department presented its annual military equipment report under AB 481, showing current items (drones, robots, armored vehicle, rifles, distraction devices and chemical agents) and proposing limited purchases; the council held the required public hearing, heard no public comment, and approved the report.
The Lodi City Council accepted the police department’s annual military equipment report on June 3 after Chief Garcia and Lieutenant Mike Manetti reviewed the agency’s inventory and planned purchases required by California Assembly Bill 481.
What staff presented: Chief Garcia introduced the item and demonstrated a small indoor drone used for building searches. Lieutenant Manetti provided an inventory of current and planned equipment: two small indoor/outdoor DJI‑type drones and one larger outdoor drone (with a proposed additional Matrice purchase), two Recon Robotics “throw bots,” one ICOR mini manipulator robot (purchased previously with Police Foundation funds), an outdoor larger drone for event coverage, and mobile command assets (watch commander vehicle and a new mobile operations command center). Manetti also reviewed the Lenco BearCat armored vehicle ordered in 2024 and noted approximately $50,000 in outfitting costs remain.
Less‑lethal and munitions: Manetti described the department’s holdings of distraction devices (23 CTS flashbangs and additional multi‑bang devices), a range of CS/OC launchable munitions (12‑gauge and 40mm deliverables), and planned procurement to replace expired inventory. He also explained a proposed purchase of 15 Geissele rifles (approximate cost $24,350) to maintain SWAT reliability and outlined a request for breaching ammunition and associated launch accessories.
Council process and outcome: The council opened the public hearing, received no public comment, closed the hearing, and approved the report and inventory as presented. Staff emphasized training, restricted use (only SWAT or properly trained mobile field force personnel), shelf‑life limits on munitions and plans to track maintenance and equipment replacement schedules.
