Redwood City Municipal Code Art. XIII Military Equipment Use Policy

The City Council hereby adopts a military equipment policy which shall govern the use of military equipment by the Redwood City Police Department. A copy of the policy is attached as Exhibit A to the ordinance from which this section is derived and can be found within Policy 703 of Redwood City Police Department Policy Manual (Policy 703). Policy 703 is incorporated by reference herein as if fully set forth in its entirety.

(Ord. No. 2507, § 3, 5-23-22)

The City Council of the City of Redwood City finds and determines as follows:

A. The military equipment identified in Policy 703 is necessary because there is no reasonable alternative that can achieve the same objective of officer and civilian safety.

B. Policy 703 will safeguard the public's welfare, safety, civil rights, and civil liberties.

C. The military equipment identified in Policy 703 is reasonably cost effective compared to available alternatives that can achieve the same objective of officer and civilian safety.

D. There was no prior military equipment use policy, however, all prior military equipment use complied with policies in effect at the time.

(Ord. No. 2507, § 2, 5-23-22; Ord. No. 2525, § 2, 6-26-23; Ord. No. 2539, § 2, 6-10-24; Ord. No. 2553, § 3, 10-27-25; Ord. No. 2559, § 3, 4-27-26)

The City Council will review this policy at least annually, and at that time vote on whether to renew the policy at a regular meeting. The City Council will determine, based on the annual military equipment report submitted pursuant to Government Code section 7072, whether each type of military equipment identified in that report has complied with the standards for approval set forth in Government Code section 7072(d). If City Council determines that a type of military equipment identified in the annual military equipment report has not complied with the standards for approval, the City Council shall either disapprove a renewal of the authorization for that type of military equipment or require modifications to the policy in a manner that will resolve the lack of compliance.

(Ord. No. 2507, § 4, 5-23-22)

State Law reference— Policy 703 complies with Government Code section 7070(d), which sets forth the requirements of a military equipment use policy.