On September 30, 2021, Governor Newsom signed a series of policing reform legislation including Assembly Bill 481. AB 481 mandates a Military Equipment Use Policy for law enforcement agencies, requiring approval from their governing body before acquiring, funding or using certain types of military-style equipment. AB 481 is codified in Government Code Sections 7070-7075.
On June 21, 2022, the Department received initial approval from the district’s governing body via Resolution No. 2206211, for the funding, acquisition, and use of specified equipment identified in Military Equipment Policy 709. Each subsequent year, as required by law, the department has submitted its Military Equipment Policy 709 and Annual Military Equipment Use Report to the Board of Trustees for review and approval. The Department last received Board of Trustees approval via Resolution No. 25061701 on June 17, 2025.
On June 12, 2026, at 1:00 PM, the Department will hold a public community engagement meeting to answer questions and discuss its proposed 2026 Military Equipment Policy (709) and Annual Military Equipment Use Report.
On June 16, 2026, at 7:00 PM, the Department will present its proposed 2026 Military Equipment Policy 709 and Annual Military Equipment Use Report to the District's Board of Trustees for review and approval.
The West Valley-Mission Community College District Police Department (WVMCCDPD) currently possesses and uses equipment that meets the criteria for 3 of the 15 military equipment categories (Categories 1,10 & 14) as identified in Government Code Section 7070. The 15 categories are:
(1) Unmanned, remotely piloted, powered aerial or ground vehicles.
(2) Mine-resistant ambush-protected (MRAP) vehicles or armored personnel carriers. However, police versions of standard consumer vehicles are specifically excluded from this subdivision.
(3) High mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicles (HMMWV), commonly referred to as Humvees, two and one-half-ton trucks, five-ton trucks, or wheeled vehicles that have a breaching or entry apparatus attached. However, unarmored all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and motorized dirt bikes are specifically excluded from this subdivision.
(4) Tracked armored vehicles that provide ballistic protection to their occupants and utilize a tracked system instead of wheels for forward motion.
(5) Command and control vehicles that are either built or modified to facilitate the operational control and direction of public safety units.
(6) Weaponized aircraft, vessels, or vehicles of any kind.
(7) Battering rams, slugs, and breaching apparatuses that are explosive in nature. However, items designed to remove a lock, such as bolt cutters, or a handheld ram designed to be operated by one person, are specifically excluded from this subdivision.
(8) Firearms of .50 caliber or greater. However, standard issue shotguns are specifically excluded from this subdivision.
(9) Ammunition of .50 caliber or greater. However, standard issue shotgun ammunition is specifically excluded from this subdivision.
(10) Specialized firearms and ammunition of less than .50 caliber, including assault weapons as defined in Section 30510 and 30515 of the Penal Code, with the exception of standard issue service weapons and ammunition of less than .50 caliber that are issued to officers, agents, or employees of a law enforcement agency or a state agency.
(11) Any firearm or firearm accessory that is designed to launch explosive projectiles.
(12) “Flashbang” grenades and explosive breaching tools, “tear gas,” and “pepper balls,” excluding standard, service-issued handheld pepper spray.
(13) Area denial electroshock devices, microwave weapons, water cannons, long-range acoustic devices, acoustic hailing devices, and sound cannons.
(14) The following projectile launch platforms and their associated munitions: 40mm projectile launchers, “bean bag,” rubber bullet, and specialty impact munition (SIM) weapons.
(15) Any other equipment as determined by a governing body or a state agency to require additional oversight.
Government Code Section 7071 requires each law enforcement agency obtain approval of the governing body by ordinance adopting a military equipment use policy at a regular meeting of the governing body. Government Code Section 7072 requires annual submission and approval of a military equipment report by the Board of Trustees via resolution (2025 - Resolution No. 25061701) the Department also makes the report and required information publicly available:
- WVMCCDPD’s Lexipol Military Equipment Policy 709
- The list of military equipment currently in WVMCCDPD’s possession
- The list of any military equipment being requested for approval (Annual Military Equipment Use Report).
- The purpose, authorized use, expected lifespan and fiscal impact for as long as the military equipment is available for use.
- The established process for the public to submit commendations, questions, and complaints.
- An annual report to include the use of military equipment, any complaints received, any internal audits or other information about violations of WVMCCDPD Lexipol Policy 709, the cost of such use and other similar information.
This webpage will be utilized for distribution of any updates to the above information as well as the annual update. The next approved annual report will be distributed on or around June 18, 2026.
See: California Government Code section 7071 (2025), California Government Code section 7072 (2025)
As required for transparency, WVMCCDPD has uploaded multiple documents on this website. WVMCCDPD will also hold a public community engagement meeting on June 12, 2026, at 1:00 PM to discuss and answer questions regarding the annual military equipment report, funding, acquisition, or use of military equipment. This meeting will include the following proposed agenda:
- Purpose of AB 481 and related Government Codes.
- Definition of military equipment as outlined in Government Code Section 7070
- WVMCCDPD's current military equipment policy and equipment inventory
- Proposed June 16, 2026, Annual Military Equipment Report
- Community engagement and public access to materials
On June 16, 2026, at 7:00 PM, the Department will present its proposed 2026 Military
Equipment Policy (709) and Annual Military Equipment Use Report to the District's
Board of Trustees for review and approval.
See: California Government Code section 7072 (2025)
NOTE: WVMCCDPD has not obtained, nor does it utilize, any equipment procured from the United States Department of Defense through the Law Enforcement Support Program (also known as the 1028 or 1033 program).