Pasadena Police Department Seeks Renewal of Military Equipment Use Authorization

The Pasadena Police Department is set to present its annual military equipment report at the upcoming City Council meeting on Monday and to ask authorization to continuing using each item in the inventory.

The report, required by state law, details the department’s acquisition and inventory of military-grade equipment. The process seeks to support transparency, and to reinforce the ability of local elected officials to monitor and manage their police department’s tactical capabilities and firepower.

City Manager Miguel Márquez is recommending the council approve the department’s request to continue using all the equipment it currently owns. All types of military equipment listed in the report have met the approval standards set by the department’s Military Equipment Policy 711 and California Government Code Section 7070, according to Márquez’s office.

The approval would involve renewing Ordinance No. 7395, which outlines procedures for funding, acquiring, and using military equipment. 

The City Council uses the annual reporting process to ensure that the Police Department is complying with current policies and will use the report to decide whether to approve, revise, or revoke parts of the policy for the next year.

Earlier, in compliance with legal requirements, the Police Department has held a community meeting through the City Council Public Safety Committee to gather comments from community stakeholders. These comments are to be included in the report presented at the City Council meeting.

The Pasadena Police Department’s preliminary inventory report reveals a collection of high-tech equipment and vehicles aimed at enhancing public safety and reducing risks. 

The inventory includes a Robotex Avatar Tactical Robot, valued at $53,624, which the Dept. said is utilized for de-escalating incidents, gathering intelligence, and minimizing risks to the public, involved subjects, and officers. The robot’s cameras can help officers determine if a subject is armed and if there are other individuals at the scene who need help.

The department also possesses two Sky-Hero Loki MK2 Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), indoor drone systems used for collecting video and audio tactical intelligence during incidents, costing a total of $21,649.

The inventory also includes military-grade vehicles such as the BearCat Armored Rescue Vehicle (ARV), designed for ballistic protection during critical events. This vehicle, costing $280,749, has been deployed to allied agencies including San Marino, Santa Monica, Glendale, Burbank, Arcadia, South Pasadena, Azusa and West Covina.

The department operates a 2000 Freightliner Mobile Command Post ($366,000) and a Freightliner MT-55 Forward Control Chassis Mobile Operations Center ($1,692,525), both of which can serve as remote bases of operations for prolonged events in the community.

The inventory also includes a .50-caliber Barrett M82A1 Precision Rifle ($8,800) equipped with a high-power scope for precise long-distance shots or large armored targets. The rifle uses the Hornady .50 BMG round capable of disabling a large truck’s engine block.

The current ammunition inventory includes 70 rounds of this type of ammunition at $10 per round. The inventory also comprises non-lethal and less lethal ammunition such as tear gas and rubber bullets.