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Council receives police military-equipment report, renews equipment-policy resolution
Summary
The police chief said the department's military-equipment holdings are limited (less-lethal launchers and two drones); staff said purchases were made with grant funds and uses were limited to training and public-safety operations. Council opened a public meeting, heard a Zoom comment opposing new military purchases, and adopted Resolution No. 2026-41 to renew the policy.
The Gonzales Police Chief presented the department's annual military-equipment report and asked the council to open a public meeting required by state law before renewing the city's military-equipment policy. The chief said the department's holdings are modest compared with larger cities and listed inventory that includes several less-lethal launchers and two unmanned aerial systems (drones).
"For this reporting period, all equipment was utilized for periodic limited minimal use in public and/or training purposes, and all costs were contained within budget appropriations," the chief said. He added that one drone was purchased in 2023 with grant money and a second drone was purchased in February with grant funds.
During the public meeting Henry Martinez (online) said the city "doesn't have any money" for such equipment and urged prioritizing core services such as fire. Martinez asked the city to provide broader public notice of such purchases. Staff replied that drone purchases were made with grants and that any surplus or disposal of equipment would come back to council for approval. The council moved and adopted Resolution No. 2026-41, renewing the city's existing ordinance and military-equipment policy.
