Law and Legislation Committee 7/29/2025

The City of Sacramento Law and Legislation Committee met on July 29, 2025, to review the Police Department’s annual military equipment use report and policy. The department reported that planned purchases are mainly to replace equipment that has been expended or reached the end of its shelf life, with a new model of unmanned aerial system as the only new equipment type. The purchases are already budgeted, and the department is not seeking additional funding. A public commenter raised concerns about the proposed drones’ cost, citing two units at approximately $47,000 each and the department’s existing drone inventory. Committee members requested information about the price differences among drone models. The committee unanimously approved a motion to forward the report and policy to the City Council.

Discussion also covered improvements to the report, including comparative usage data and links to department policies, and the department’s work with the City Attorney’s Office on the review timeline and opportunities for Police Review Commission input. Public comments raised concerns about the timing and legal requirements for approving military equipment purchases, as well as an unrelated complaint about permitting and building-owner accountability affecting small businesses. No additional funding allocation or separate contract award was identified.