Pasadena, Nearby Cities Follow State Law on Military Gear

As the Pasadena Police Department prepares for a public meeting Thursday, Sept. 4, to review its 2024–2025 Military Equipment Annual Report, Pasadena and nearby cities remain in compliance with California’s transparency law governing military-style equipment.

Under California Assembly Bill 481, law enforcement agencies must obtain local governing body approval via ordinance before acquiring or using defined types of “military equipment.”

Departments are also required to publish detailed inventories, issue annual reports, disclose costs, and hold public forums for residents. The law, passed in 2021, was designed to counterbalance federal programs that for decades made it easier for local departments to acquire military-grade tools.

“Keeping our community safe starts with being open and accountable,” said Mayor Victor Gordo. “As our Pasadena Police Department shares its 2024-2025 Military Equipment Report this coming Thursday, we want our community to know that these tools are used responsibly, with accountability, and always with respect for the people we serve. Because at the end of the day, safety isn’t just about equipment, it’s about protecting people, and strengthening the bond between our officers and the community they serve.”

Pasadena adopted its Military Equipment Use Policy in 2022 and has since released yearly reports covering drones, helicopters, armored vehicles, and other specialized gear.

The Sept. 4 meeting will allow residents to ask questions and comment before the City Council considers renewing the ordinance.

Neighboring cities have taken similar steps. Sierra Madre has adopted its own use policy, publishes annual reviews, and invites public complaints and input. South Pasadena has posted AB 481 requirements and acknowledges its reporting obligations, though residents are awaiting the most recent public updates.

Altadena, patrolled by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, operates under a county-approved policy and publishes annual reports with community forums.

Under Program 1033, Pasadena obtained two Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles from the U.S. Department of Defense’s surplus program in 2014. The city initially disclosed only one vehicle. When the second MRAP came to light after an article was published in the Pasadena Weekly, the City Council directed police to return it.

The remaining MRAP was retained for several years but later decommissioned after concerns about the militarization of local policing.

The federal 1033 program, created under the 1997 National Defense Authorization Act, has long supplied local law enforcement with surplus military hardware, often at little or no cost.

Critics argue it has fueled aggressive policing, while supporters maintain the equipment enhances public safety during emergencies.

“In the matter of military equipment, many may wonder ‘why do they need that?’ for many items that PPD has in their inventory,” said Esprit Jones, who chairs the police oversight commission. “AB 481 requires that law enforcement agencies in California are transparent about acquisition, funding and use of said inventory. I am hopeful that residents are not shy about taking this opportunity to get educated this Thursday.”

For anyone interested but unable to attend, PPD will present again next Thursday at CPOC’s monthly meeting in Council Chambers.

For Pasadena residents, this Thursday’s meeting represents both a compliance check under state law and a chance to weigh in on the continued use of specialized equipment. City officials say public participation is essential to ensuring the transparency AB 481 was designed to deliver.