Elk Grove Police Department military equipment to be reviewed at city council meeting

The Elk Grove Police Department (EGPD) has publicly disclosed its inventory of military equipment as mandated by California Assembly Bill 481, which requires law enforcement agencies to report and obtain approval for the use of such equipment.

During their Wednesday, March 28 meeting, the Elk Grove City Council will approve the report and renew use of the equipment.

Elk Grove Police Department's Military Equipment Inventory

According to the EGPD's 2022 Military Equipment Report, the department's inventory includes:​

• Unmanned Aircraft Systems (Drones): Used for aerial surveillance and reconnaissance.​
• Robots: Deployed for bomb disposal and hazardous material situations.​
• Armored Vehicles: Utilized for personnel protection in high-risk operations.​Elk Grove City+2Business Insider+2Home+2
• Firearms: Including rifles and shotguns for specialized tactical units.​
• Less-Lethal Weapons: Such as bean bag shotguns and tear gas launchers.​

The report emphasizes that all equipment is used in accordance with state and federal regulations, aiming to enhance public and officer safety. ​

Comparison with Similar-Sized Cities

Elk Grove, California, has a population of approximately 176,000 residents. Comparing its military equipment inventory to other cities of similar size reveals:​

• Sacramento, California: With a population of around 525,000, the Sacramento Police Department's inventory includes:​
  • Unmanned Aircraft Systems (Drones): 79 units (audio)
  • Robots: 5 units​
  • Armored Vehicles: 2 units ​
  • Firearms: Including rifles and shotguns for specialized units​
  • Less-Lethal Weapons: Such as bean bag shotguns and tear gas launchers​

While Sacramento's population is significantly larger than Elk Grove's, the types of military equipment are similar, though Sacramento possesses a higher quantity of certain items. ​

• Small Towns: Even smaller municipalities have acquired military-grade equipment. For instance, Rising Star, Texas, a town with one full-time police officer and a population of less than 1,000 received $3.2 in equipment over a 14-month period staring in 2013.

Analysis

The acquisition of military equipment by police departments has been a topic of national debate. Sacramento City Councilmember Caity Maples learned the political peril of supporting the acquisition of controversial military equipment.

Elk Grove Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen, the current and preceding city council members have been supportive of the militarization of the Elk Grove Police Department. Also, Elk Grove is more conservative than Sacramento with a populace more supportive of law enforcement.

Proponents argue that such equipment is essential for officer safety and effective response to high-risk situations. Critics, however, contend that the militarization of police can lead to excessive use of force and erode public trust.

"The harm for me is that it further militarizes American law enforcement," Norm Stamper, a retired Seattle Police chief told the AP. "We make a serious mistake, I'm convinced, in equipping domestic law enforcement, particularly in smaller, rural communities, with this much military equipment."

In California, Assembly Bill 481 seeks to address these concerns by increasing transparency and requiring public input on the use of military equipment by law enforcement agencies.

Overall, while the types of military equipment held by the Elk Grove Police Department are comparable to those in other cities, the quantities vary based on the size and specific needs of each community. The ongoing discussions around police militarization highlight the importance of balancing public safety with community trust and oversight.