On September 30, 2021, Governor Newsom signed into law seven major peace officer reform bills, including Assembly Bill 481.  AB 481 was authored by Assemblymember David Chieu (D-San Francisco) to address the funding, acquisition, and use of items lawmakers deemed to be considered “military equipment.”

This bill requires law enforcement agencies, including the Bell Gardens Police Department, “to obtain approval of the applicable governing body, by adoption of a military equipment use policy, as specified, by ordinance at a regular meeting held pursuant to specified open meeting laws, prior to taking certain actions relating to the funding, acquisition, or use of military equipment, as defined.”  The full text of AB 481 is available here.

Furthermore, AB 481 requires similar approval for the continued use of “military equipment” acquired by the Bell Gardens Police Department prior to January 1, 2022, and allows the governing body to approve the funding, acquisition, or use of military equipment within its jurisdiction only if it determines that the military equipment meets specified standards.

Public Input Regarding AB 481
The Bell Gardens Police Department has uploaded multiple written documents on this website 30-days prior to a public meeting to meet the requirements of AB 481.   Members of the public are encouraged to contact the Bell Gardens Police Department via email at AB481.public.comment@bgpd.org  with any questions or concerns.  Also, visit the City of Bell Gardens webpage here for information on all upcoming public meetings pertaining to this matter.

Bell Gardens Police Military Equipment Policy

Bell Gardens Police _AB 481_Annual Report 2022_2023

2024 Bell Gardens Police Military Equipment Use Policy

Bell Gardens Police AB 481 Annual Report 2024