Policy Text
SACRAMENTO POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDERS
GO 410.06
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410.06
MILITARY EQUIPMENT USE
08/27/2024
PURPOSE
The purpose of this order is to provide guidelines for the approval, acquisition, and reporting requirements of
military equipment (Government Code §§ 7070 -7072) for the Sacramento Police Department (SPD).
POLICY
It shall be the policy of the SPD to utilize military equipment to ensure the full protection of the public’s welfare,
safety, civil rights, and civil liberties. All military equipment shall be used in accordance with this order and
other associated SPD orders and manuals that provide greater detail of authorized uses of department military
equipment.
PROCEDURE
A. DEFINITIONS
1. ANNUAL COSTS – The approximate and applicable total of acquisition, personnel, training,
transportation, maintenance, storage, upgrade, or other ongoing costs.
2. ANNUAL MILITARY EQUIPMENT REPORT – Publicly available annual report on SPD’s military
equipment, in accordance with Government Code § 7072.
3. AUTHORIZED USERS – SPD employees who have successfully completed all required training,
licensing, certification, or testing to utilize SPD’s equipment.
4. GOVERNING BODY – City of Sacramento city council and mayor, in accordance with Government
Code § 7070(a).
5. INCIDENT COMMANDER – The watch commander (lieutenant) of a shift, or designee, that shall have
authority to utilize department resources to resolve an incident (until completion or until relieved).
6. MILITARY EQUIPMENT – All SPD military equipment defined in Government Code § 7070(c)(1) -(16).
Hereinafter, each type of military equipment shall be referred to as numbered categories that
correspond to the numbered Government Code definition paragraphs.
7. MILITARY EQUIPMENT USE POLICY – Publicly available, written document (this order – General
Order 410.06 [Military Equipment Use]) governing SPD’s use of military equipment, in accordance with Government Code § 7070(d).
B. GENERAL
1. The reporting period of SPD’s annual military equipment report is from May 1, 2023 to April 30, 2024.
C. APPROVAL FOR ACQUISITION AND USE
1. In accordance with Government Code § 7071(a)(1), SPD shall obtain approval (ordinance adoption)
from the governing body prior to:
a. Requesting, borrowing, or acquiring military equipment.
b. Seeking any type of funding for department military equipment.
c. Collaborating with another law enforcement agency in the deployment or use of military equipment
d. Utilizing new or existing department military equipment in a manner or by a person not previously
approved.
e. Soliciting or responding to a proposal for military equipment whether individually or jointly with another person or agency.
f. Acquiring any military equipment through any means not provided by Government Code §
7071(a)(1).
D. AUTHORIZED USES OF MILITARY EQUIPMENT
1. The use of all SPD military equipment shall be in accordance with:
a. This order, only after approval and ordinance adoption by the governing body.
b. Specific orders and manuals governing the use of each type of military equipment.
2. SPD’s military equipment shall only be utilized for official law enforcement purposes and in accordance
with state and federal law.
E. COMPLIANCE
1. In accordance with General Order 340.02 (Internal Inspections), the SPD Inspection and Standards
SACRAMENTO POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDERS
GO 410.06
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Team shall ensure compliance of SPD’s military equipment use and be responsible for the following:
a. Conducting an annual inspection and audit of all SPD military equipment.
b. Organizing and drafting SPD’s annual military equipment use report.
c. Collaborating with the SPD Policy Team in the drafting of SPD’s annual military equipment use
policy.
d. Report any violations of this order to the chief of police through the chain of command.
e. If appropriate, report any employee misconduct to the Internal Affairs Division and the employee’s
chain of command.
2. In accordance with General Order 220.01 (Personnel Complaints) and Reference Manual 220.01 (Internal Investigations Manual), the Internal Affairs Division shall:
a. Receive and investigate all personnel complaints, including violations of SPD’s military equipment
use.
F. MILITARY EQUIPMENT
1. In accordance with Government Code § 7070(d)(1) -(5), Appendix A includes the following information
for each type of SPD’s military equipment:
a. Description to include quantity sought (proposed acquisition), capabilities, expected lifespan, and manufacturer product descriptions websites.
b. Purpose and authorized uses.
c. Fiscal impact to include initial and estimated annual cost (based on the current reporting period).
d. Legal and procedural rules that govern all authorized uses of department military equipment.
e. Required training and courses required prior to an employee’s authorized use of department military
equipment.
G. INDEPENDENT OVERSIGHT ENTITIES
1. In accordance with Government Code § 7070(d)(6), the following entities shall have independent
oversight authority of SPD’s military equipment use policy:
a. Governing body.
b. Office of Public Safety Accountability, in accordance with Sacramento City Code Chapter 2.22
(Office of Public Safety Accountability).
H. REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATION ENTITY
1. The following entity may advise and make recommendations to the city council regarding SPD’s military
equipment use policy:
a. Sacramento Community Police Review Commission, in accordance with Sacramento City Code Chapter 2.110 (Sacramento Community Police