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Jun 23, 2026
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How Military Equipment is Used in Richmond

On July 7th, Richmond City Council will take up AB481, the 2021 California law requiring transparency and accountability around militarized equipment used by police and sheriffs statewide. This meeting is personal for our community.

Justice for Angel Montano

On August 4th, Angel Montano was shot and killed by RPD officers after experiencing a mental health crisis. Angel was a brother, father, veteran, and someone who cared deeply about his community and family. He was killed by officers using rifles designed for long-distance engagements.

Together, we will continue to fight for justice for Angel and make sure nobody else is harmed at the hands of officers in our community. The June 16 Council meeting is a direct opportunity to do that.

What is AB481?

AB481 is a California law passed in 2021 that applies to every police department, sheriff's office, and state law enforcement agency in California. It requires transparency and accountability around how military equipment is funded, acquired, and used, through three interconnected requirements:

1. Annual Use Report (Police Department)

RPD must publicly release a report each year covering:

  • All military weapons currently in inventory

  • Any community complaints about military weapon usage

  • Projected acquisitions for the coming year

  • Total annual cost of owned military weapons

2. Community Feedback Meeting (Public)

RPD must host a public meeting where community members can discuss and ask questions about the department's funding, acquisitions, policies, and use of military equipment. Feedback from this meeting feeds into a final report that goes before City Council.

3. Use Policy Review (City Council)

City Council reviews the Annual Use Report and determines whether to approve, reject, or request revisions to RPD's military equipment use policy. To approve the policy, Council must determine that:

  1. The policy safeguards the public's welfare, safety, civil rights, and civil liberties

  2. There are no reasonable or more cost-effective alternatives to meet safety objectives

  3. Past use complied with the existing use policy

What Equipment Is Covered?

AB481 applies to military-grade equipment including assault weapons, armored vehicles, drones, robots, tear gas, pepper rounds, flashbang grenades, projectile launchers (40mm), and rubber bullets. Canines, tasers, and pepper spray are not classified under the law.