This is in accordance with the provisions of Assembly Bill 481 (AB 481), which went into effect in January of 2022, which legally obligates law enforcement agencies to establish an ordinance that mandates the development of a policy outlining the use of “military equipment,” be it permanent or temporary. It is further required that such a policy is presented for approval by the governing body of the law enforcement agency.
As part of this new law, a critical aspect is the requirement for the Sheriff’s office to hold a public meeting where the community can review the policy, gain insights into the equipment, and ask questions regarding its utilization.
The Sheriff’s office has set the meeting for tomorrow at 5:30 P.M. at the Lassen County Sheriff’s Office on Sheriff’s Cady Lane in Susanville.
The Sheriff has stated that the equipment outlined in this policy serves as a vital resource regularly employed to ensure the safety of the department deputies and the community at large during patrol and within the County Jail, which, in light of public safety realignment, has transformed the jail, to house felons as the majority of its population. The sheriffs added that this equipment encompasses a broad spectrum and is not limited to military surplus gear.
If you want to learn more about the policy or provide your input, you are encouraged to participate in this public meeting. The draft policy is readily accessible on the Sheriff’s office webpage under the link to the “Military Equipment Policy 2023.”
