AB 481 Military Equipment Use Policy

On September 30, 2021, the Governor of the State of California approved Assembly Bill 481 requiring law enforcement agencies to obtain approval from the applicable governing body (Town Council) to use any equipment defined as military equipment by AB 481 by adopting a military equipment use policy. AB 481 declares the public has a right to know about any funding, acquisition, or use of military equipment as well as a right to participate in the decision to fund, acquire, or use such equipment. The Mammoth Lakes Police Department is committed to adopting internal processes related to the funding, acquisition, and use of defined military equipment as codified by Government Code sections § 7070, § 7071, and § 7072, which can be found here: Assembly Bill 481.

AB 481 outlines fifteen categories of equipment that is defined as “military equipment,” ranging from remote piloted drone or robotic equipment to simunition firearms used only for training purposes.  Of these fifteen categories or equipment, the Mammoth Lakes Police Department acquires and has available for use three of the fifteen categories of equipment – two of the three categories of equipment are primarily or solely used for wildlife diversion (Pepperball Launcher and Munitions, Bean-Bag Shotguns and Rounds, Rubber Slugs). The third category of equipment the Mammoth Lakes Police Department has is an unarmed drone. The department would like to add equipment to the category of projectile launch platforms and their associated munitions by purchasing eight (8) Defense Technology 40mm less lethal launchers, and associated impact sponge munitions plus training munitions, for the purpose of replacing existing less lethal shotguns.

Assembly Bill 481 requires all California Police Departments to hold an annual community meeting to provide an update on the Department's acquisition and use of military equipment. We hope you'll join us for a discussion on this topic on Tuesday, August 19, 2025 from 11:30-12:30 at 58 Thompsons Way.

Mammoth Lakes Police Department's Equipment List

Mammoth Lakes Police Department's Military Equipment Policy 706

Mammoth Lakes Police Department's Annual Report of Military Equipment Use