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ORDINANCE NO. NS-XXX <br />AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF <br />SANTA ANA ADOPTING A POLICY FOR THE USE OF <br />MILITARY EQUIPMENT BY THE SANTA ANA POLICE <br />DEPARTMENT <br />WHEREAS, the mission of the Santa Ana Police Department (Department) is to <br />provide the highest quality police services to the communities it serves; and <br />WHEREAS, the Department values transparency and public input, and welcomes <br />open dialogue about its practices and operations; and <br />WHEREAS, the preservation and sustainability of public safety, civil rights, and <br />officer safety is paramount; and <br />WHEREAS, each situation is evaluated by incident commanders or supervisors <br />who, based on circumstances and Department directives, determine which equipment <br />should be used; and <br />WHEREAS, the Department's diverse catalogue of military equipment, as defined <br />in state law, and associated training gives police officers the confidence and capability to <br />de-escalate volatile situations, enhance the safety of the public and officers, and bring <br />critical incidents to a safe resolution; and <br />WHEREAS, from time to time, the Department may be asked to assist or need to <br />be assisted by other law enforcement agencies, which may include use of military <br />equipment, as defined in state law; and <br />WHEREAS, partnerships with other law enforcement agencies are an integral part <br />of maintaining the continuity of public safety within the region; and <br />WHEREAS, On September 30, 2021, Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law <br />Assembly Bill 481, relating to the use of military equipment by law enforcement agencies; <br />and <br />WHEREAS, Assembly Bill 481, codified as California Government Code sections <br />7070 through 7075, requires law enforcement agencies to obtain approval of the <br />applicable governing body, by an ordinance adopting a "military equipment" use policy, <br />at a regular meeting held pursuant to open meeting laws, prior to taking certain actions <br />relating to the funding, acquisition, or use of military equipment. The term "military <br />equipment" is defined in California Government Code section 7070; and <br />City Council 11 — 1 5/17/2022 <br />