Sonora Municipal Code § 9.70 Military Equipment Use Policy

A. On September 30, 2021, Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law Assembly Bill 481, relating to the use of military equipment by law enforcement agencies.

B. Assembly Bill 481, codified at California Government Code sections 7070 through 7075, requires law enforcement agencies to obtain approval of the applicable governing body, by an ordinance adopting a military equipment use policy, at a regular meeting held pursuant to open meeting laws, prior to taking certain actions relating to the funding, acquisition, or use of military equipment. The term military equipment is defined in California Government Code section 7070.

C. Assembly Bill 481 allows the governing body of a city to approve the funding, acquisition, or use of military equipment within its jurisdiction only if it makes the determinations established in California Government Code Section 7070, subdivision (d)(1).

D. The proposed military equipment use policy is found within Sonora Police Department Policy and Procedural manual.

E. Sonora Police Department Policy was published on the Sonora Police Department's internet website on February 17, 2022. In addition, the Sonora Police Department, Military Equipment Use Policy was presented to City Council on March 21, 2022.

F. The Sonora Police Department, Military Equipment Use Policy, meets the requirements of California Government Code section 7070, subdivision (d).

(Adopted by Ord. 883 on 4/18/2022)

Based on the findings above, in addition to the information provided to the City Council at the public meeting, the City Council determines as follows:

A. The military equipment identified in the Sonora Police Department, Military Equipment Use Policy, is necessary because there are no reasonable alternatives that can achieve the same objectives of officer and civilian safety.

B. Sonora Police Department, Military Equipment Use Policy, will safeguard the public's welfare, safety, civil rights, and civil liberties.

C. The military equipment identified in the Sonora Police Department, Military Equipment Use Policy, is reasonably cost-effective compared to available alternatives that can achieve the same objective of officer and civilian safety.

D. Sonora Police Department, Military Equipment Use Policy, is approved and adopted.

(Adopted by Ord. 883 on 4/18/2022)