26-003 - Military Equipment Use and Reporting Procedures

MILITARY EQUIPMENT USE AND REPORTING PROCEDURES

PURPOSE

To establish Department-wide procedures for the reporting of military equipment field usage in compliance with Government Code section 7070–7075 (frequently referred to as Assembly Bill 481), the Manual of Policy and Procedures (MPP) section 3-06/080.2, and Los Angeles County Code section 13.200, Division 14. This directive ensures accurate documentation, appropriate use, and transparent oversight of equipment classified under California law. Military equipment is not limited to items acquired from or used by the military. It includes many common law enforcement equipment items.

SCOPE

This directive applies to all Department personnel within the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department who use or supervise the use of designated military equipment. It is the responsibility of all Department personnel to familiarize themselves with all Department equipment which falls within the definition of military equipment.

DEFINITIONS

• Military Equipment – Any equipment defined under Government Code sections 7070-7075, including but not limited to:

• • Armored vehicles

  • Mobile Command Posts

• • 40mm less-lethal launchers and ammunition

• • Chemical agents (tear gas)

• • Distraction devices (blast balls)

• • Unmanned Aerial Systems (drones)

• • Pepper ball launchers

• Weapons Management Portal (WMP) – The Department’s official tracking system for documenting use of military equipment. Accessible through Intranet Web Applications, WMP is a user-friendly system of guided drop-down menus.

• Deployment - The public display of any covered equipment item by Department personnel in response to an incident requiring investigative or enforcement actions shall be considered a “deployment” of the item. Deployment alone is not a "use" reportable under this Policy.

• Use for Reporting Purposes - The intentional or unintentional operation, launch, discharge, detonation, activation, ignition, or impact of a covered equipment item with respect to a person or object in response to an incident requiring investigative or enforcement action shall be a reportable “use” of the item. For small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) and robots, reportable use occurs when the item performs a function to assist in the mission of the investigative or enforcement action, including but not limited to live video feed, thermal imaging, mapping, reconnaissance, suspect location, scene monitoring, or communications relay. For armored vehicles at mobile command posts, a reportable use occurs when an armored vehicle is utilized at the scene of an incident by providing cover, command and control, officer transport inside of a containment, scene security, or any operational role beyond mere transit to a staging area. Equipment staged nearby and unused does not constitute a reportable use.

PROCEDURES / RESPONSIBILITIES

Deputy Sheriff

Whenever any designated military equipment is used during an incident, the Deputy Sheriff shall notify their immediate supervisor (permanent rank of Sergeant or Lieutenant) as soon as practical, but no later than the end of shift.

• Details to Provide (to the extent known at the time):

• • Manufacturer and model (if known)

  • Approximate quantity of equipment used

  • Unit of assignment for the equipment (if known)

  • Approximate date, time, and general location of use

Purpose or justification for use - Deputies are not required to delay the completion of their duties or remain on duty beyond their scheduled shift to obtain additional equipment details. Deputies shall not be required to review Body Worn Camera footage outside of their scheduled shift solely to determine specific reporting details unless directed, and any such direction shall be handled in accordance with Department overtime policies.

Upon notification by a Deputy, the supervisor shall review the circumstances surrounding the use of the military equipment to ensure compliance with Department policy and use standards.

Report Submission in WMP:

• The supervisor is responsible for entering a complete and accurate usage report into the WMP within twenty-one (21) calendar days of the incident. If the assigned supervisor is unavailable, the responsibility shall transfer to the next available in the chain of command. Supervisors shall ensure that reporting information is completed to the fullest extent practicable based on available information. When necessary, supervisors shall coordinate with the issuing unit, equipment custodian, or allied agency to verify equipment details.

Report Contents Must Include:

• Manufacturer, model, and quantity of equipment used (to the extent reasonably available)

• • Date and time of use (reasonable approximations are acceptable during dynamic incidents)

• • Unit of assignment for the equipment (if known or obtainable)

• • Summary narrative of incident including general location and tactical or operational justification

• • Indication if the equipment was used during civil unrest, demonstrations, protests, or crowd-control operations (13652 PC). This only applies to Kinetic Energy Projectiles or Chemical Agents.

Critical Incident / Investigative Exception:

In incidents involving officer-involved shootings, in-custody deaths, or other criminal or administrative investigations where a deputy is advised not to provide a statement, the reporting requirement for that deputy may be deferred. In such cases, the supervisor shall ensure that the required WMP entry is completed using available information from reports, CAD data, or other reliable sources, consistent with legal requirements and investigative protocols.

• Report Review and Approval:

• • Once submitted in WMP, the usage report will be automatically forwarded to the Military Equipment Sergeant or Lieutenant assigned to the Weapons Training Unit (WTU), or designee as authorized by WTU, for review and approval.

Equipment Accountability / Issuance Responsibility:

Personnel responsible for issuing, deploying, or overseeing the distribution of military equipment shall, when feasible, maintain documentation identifying the manufacturer, model, quantity, and assigned unit for such equipment. This information shall be made reasonably available to supervisors completing WMP entries to ensure accurate reporting. Deputies using the equipment remain responsible for reporting the use, while equipment-specific details shall be verified through appropriate coordination when not readily known at the time of use.

• Follow-up:

• • If the use appears to be inconsistent with approved policies or raises operational concerns, the WTU supervisor shall notify the Unit Commander and document the issue through the appropriate chain of command.

Unit Commander

• Policy Awareness & Training:

• • Ensure that all personnel under their command are trained and regularly updated on Military equipment requirements, including proper notification and reporting protocols. Training shall occur at least annually and be documented at the unit level.

• • Verify familiarity with MPP section 3-06/080.2 and County Code section 13.200, Division 14 through the use of unit briefing and training.

• Oversight & Compliance:

• • Conduct periodic reviews of WMP entries to verify accuracy, completeness, and compliance with the law and department policy.

• • Address any deficiencies or patterns of non-compliance.

• Annual Reporting Support:

• • Coordinate with Department leadership and designated transparency units to ensure accurate data compilation for the Annual Military Equipment Use Report required by state statute for submission to the Board of Supervisors and posting on the Department’s website.

• • Assist with community engagement efforts, including required public meetings within 30 days of the annual report's release.

The Department recognizes that operational, safety, or investigative circumstances may impact the ability to immediately comply with reporting requirements, and such factors will be considered when evaluating compliance. The Department will also incorporate WMP data into its internal audits and public reporting mechanisms as mandated by state law.

REPORTING TIMELINE SUMMARY

ENFORCEMENT AND NON-COMPLIANCE

Failure to follow the notification or reporting requirements outlined in this directive may result in administrative review and potential disciplinary action. The Department will also incorporate WMP data into its internal audits and public reporting mechanisms as mandated by state law.

The WTU has been designated as the Department’s Military Equipment Coordinator. Periodic inspections or audits of a unit’s military equipment may be conducted by the coordinator to ensure compliance with the provisions of this Directive and related state and county regulations. Inspections may be conducted in conjunction with a Pre-Command Inspection or without prior notice. The Military Equipment Coordinator or designees must be given immediate access to all military equipment or any equipment that may potentially be identified as military equipment. The Military Equipment Coordinator and/or Biscailuz Center Armory retains the authority to recall or remove any equipment from service as set forth by Department policy. Any recall or removal shall be documented in writing and communicated through the affected unit’s chain of command.

QUESTIONS & RESOURCES

• All Department personnel holding the rank of sergeant and lieutenant will automatically have access to WMP for use reporting purposes.  For other personnel who may need WMP system access or training, contact:  ab481inquiry@lasd.org

REFERENCES

California Government Code sections 7070–7075: Governs military equipment policy adoption, reporting, and community engagement.

Los Angeles County Code section 13.200, Division 14: Requires Board of Supervisors' approval for use and reporting of military equipment by county agencies.

Weapons Management Portal: http://wmp.lasd.sheriff.sdn/

MPP Section 3-06/080.15 – Equipment, Weapons, and Munitions Control

MPP section 3-06/080.20 – Military Equipment

MPP section 5-06/030.12 - Use of Kinetic Energy Projectiles and Chemical Weapons to Disperse Assemblies, Protests, or Demonstrations

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Newsletter 25-06 – Military Equipment Compliance & Use Reporting Requirements

Lasd.org Transparency page – AB 481

Email: AB481Inquiry@lasd.org