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Home My WebLink AboutPH-2 - 26-309 - 11. AB 481 Annual Report - FY 25-26 - 6/2/2026Costa Mesa Police Department Annual AB 481 Report FY 2025/2026 ______________________________________________________________________ On August 2, 2022, military equipment, as defined under Government Code 7070, was approved for police use by the Costa Mesa City Council, consistent with Assembly Bill (AB) 481. The policy regarding use of such equipment is documented under Costa Mesa Police Department (CMPD) Policy Manual section 706 and is publicly available on the Costa Mesa Police Department website. Types, quantities, descriptions, and costs of equipment are contained in section 706.5 of the Policy Manual. As of this report, the items, uses, quantities, their costs, and their purposes have not changed. The Department does not currently acquire equipment beyond what is already authorized in Policy 706. From April 18, 2025 to April 27, 2026, the CMPD received zero (0) complaints about any of the items outlined in Policy Section 706.5. During the same period, there were zero (0)internal audits and zero (0) violations of the AB 481 Equipment Use Policy. The CMPD recognizes critical incidents can be unpredictable and rapidly evolving. The equipment listed in the AB 481 Equipment Use Policy greatly assists law enforcement in bringing those incidents to a safe and swift resolution. The use of AB 481 equipm ent is continuously evaluated by department personnel to ensure compliance with State law and Department policy/procedure. The following section outlines the AB 481 equipment used by members of the CMPD from April 18, 2025 to April 27, 2026. Certain items of AB 481 equipment, particularly consumables (ammunition, diversionary devices, pepper balls, chemical agents, etc.) are used throughout the year on a regular basis for training and maintaining operational proficiency. Training usage is not captured in this section. This section only provides data for the operational use of AB 481 equipment listed within this annual AB 481 Use Summary Report. The CMPD utilizes or displays certain pieces of AB 481 equipment during outreach and community engagement events as a means of raising awareness, transparency, and education. Such events include but are not limited to, the CMPD Citizens Academy, National Night Out, the Lion’s Club Fish Fry, and Love Costa Mesa events. The usage of the equipment in these events is not reflected in this report. Other items listed in the CMPD Policy Manual section 706.5 that are not specifically mentioned in the summary above were not used during the time frame of this report. Specifics regarding the purpose of each item, the associated costs and the quantity possessed is outlined under CMPD Policy Manual Section 706 and 706.5 (Attached). Attachment 11 The following is data for AB 481 use by category: VEHICLES Mobile Command Vehicle (MCV) The MCV was used a total of eight (8) times from April 18, 2025 to April 27, 2026, during official law enforcement activities in accordance with CMPD policy. Authorized Usages: Only officers trained in the use and deployment of the MCV shall drive the vehicle under the direction of the Chief of Police, Field Operations Captain, Support Services Captain, SWAT Commander, Watch Commander, or their designee. Situations where the MCV may be deployed include but are not limited to: • Critical incidents • Natural disasters • Special events • Training • Emergencies Armored Rescue Vehicles (ARVs) The CMPD ARV was used zero (0) times from April 18, 2025 to April 27, 2026. Authorized Use: The ARVs use shall be authorized by the Chief of Police, Division Commander, Watch Commander, or SWAT Commander based on the specific circumstances of a given critical incident. ARVs shall only be used by personnel trained in their deployment and in a manner consistent with Department policies/procedures. Situations, where the ARVs may be deployed, include but are not limited to: • Critical incidents • Natural disasters • Special events • Training • Emergencies SPECIALIZED TACTICAL EQUIPMENT Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) UASs were utilized at total of four hundred and fifty-nine (459) times from April 18, 2025 to April 27, 2026, during official law enforcement activities in accordance with CMPD policy. Authorized usages: Only assigned operators who have completed the required training shall be permitted to operate any UAS during approved missions. The UAS is to be deployed when its capabilities would assist officers or incident commanders with the following situations, which include but are not limited to: • Major collision investigations • Active law enforcement incidents (call for service) • Search for missing persons • Natural disaster management • Crime scene photography • SWAT, tactical, or other public safety and life preservation missions. • In response to specific requests from local, State, or Federal fire authorities for fire response and/or prevention. Tactical Robot The Tactical Robot was used zero (0) times from April 18, 2025 to April 27, 2026. Authorized usages: The tactical robot shall only be deployed by Department personnel trained in its use, and with the approval of the SWAT Commander, Watch Commander, or their designee. Situations where the robots may be deployed, include but are not limited to: • Critical incidents • Natural disasters • Special events LESS- LETHAL DEVICES 40mm Launchers and Munitions 40mm launchers and munitions were used zero (0) times from April 18, 2025 to April 27, 2026. Authorized usages: Situations where the deployment of less-lethal impact or chemical munitions are authorized include but are not limited to: • Self-destructive, dangerous, and/or combative individuals. • Riot/crowd control and civil unrest incidents where the criminal behavior involved exceeds a failure to disburse or curfew violation. • Circumstances where a tactical advantage can be obtained. • Vicious animals • Training exercises or approved demonstrations • Tactical situations involving the deployment of the Department's SWAT Team including but not limited to, barricaded subjects. PepperBall Launcher and Munitions PepperBall launchers and munitions were used zero (0) times from April 18, 2025 to April 27, 2026. Authorized usages: Only officers who have received certification in the use of PepperBall are authorized to use PepperBall. Situations where the Pepper Ball may be deployed include, but are not limited to: • Tactical situations involving the deployment of the Department's SWAT Team • Training exercises or approved demonstrations • Potentially vicious animals • Circumstances where a tactical advantage can be obtained • Riot/crowd control and civil unrest incidents • Self-destructive, dangerous, and/or combative individuals Chemical and Smoke Canisters Chemical and smoke canisters were used zero (0) times from April 18, 2025 to April 27, 2026. Authorized usages: Only SWAT officers who have received POST certification in the use of chemical agents are authorized to use chemical agents. Situations where the chemical agents may be deployed include, but are not limited to: • Self-destructive, dangerous, and/or combative individuals • Riot/crowd control and civil unrest incidents • Circumstances where a tactical advantage can be obtained. • Potentially vicious animals • Training exercises or approved demonstrations • Tactical situations involving the deployment of the Department's SWAT Team. FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION Rifles and Ammunition Rifles and associated ammunition were deployed, but never fired, at various times during official law enforcement activities in accordance with CMPD policy. Authorized usages: Only officers POST certified in the use of the rifle are authorized to deploy them in the field. Situations where rifles may be used include, to prevent serious bodily injury or death to self or others and during training.