First published in the Feb. 4 print issue of the Burbank Leader.
The Burbank Police Department will hold a meeting on Feb. 15 to discuss the acquisition and use of police equipment, a requirement under Assembly Bill 481.
BPD made a report of the existing inventory of military equipment to the police commission last month. It noted the department’s possession of an armored personnel carrier, drones, a SWAT robot, chemical agents and non-lethal ammunition, among other tactical and diversionary equipment.
The Burbank City Council approved the use of BPD’s military equipment inventory in April 2022.
AB 481 was introduced to increase transparency and accountability for the funding, acquisition and use of military equipment by state and local law enforcement agencies. On Sept. 30, 2021, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law AB 481, which went into effect on Jan. 1, 2022.
The bill requires law enforcement agencies to author an annual military equipment report, which shall include a description of each type of military equipment, quantity in inventory, capabilities, purchase cost, purpose, authorized use, expected life span, fiscal impact and usage for the year. After the report has been posted on the law enforcement’s website, a community meeting shall be held to allow the public to ask questions and discuss the report.
“The Burbank Police Department is committed to transparency, public trust, community partnerships and compliance with the law. As such, the department has authored the 2022 Annual Military Equipment Report in accordance with the requirements set forth in AB 481,” police officials said in a statement.
The BPD invites Burbank residents to attend a community meeting to discuss the annual military equipment report on Feb. 15 at 5 p.m., which will be held at the city’s Community Services Building, Room #104 (150 N. 3rd St.)
Residents may also offer comments by calling (818) 238-3025 on the day and time of the meeting. Calls will not be screened or recorded by the department. Those unable to attend in person will have the option to watch the meeting online on the city of Burbank’s YouTube channel and on local TV, channel 6.
