AB 481

Assembly Bill (AB) 481

Assembly Bill (AB) 481 is a new law among several police reform bills signed by Governor Gavin Newsom in 2021. It went into effect on January 1, 2022 and is designed to increase community awareness surrounding a police agency’s possession and use of certain types of equipment and requires a governing body to provide both authorization and oversight of its use.

The Foothill-De Anza Police Department (FHDAPD) sought approval from the Board of Trustees in order to continue the use of vital equipment and require approval of future equipment use defined by AB 481 as “military equipment”. Items deemed to be “military equipment” by AB 481 are used as a component of overall best practices for Law Enforcement Agencies throughout the country. These tools have been tested in the field, and are used to enhance citizen safety and officer safety.

For more information, please read our Annual AB481 report here, the following draft Administrative Procedures, Board Policy and PD Policy. To make a public comment please send directly to [email protected] and reference in your email, 'AB 481'.

• AP 6870
  
• BP 6870
• Draft FHDAPD 706