Palm Springs to review military equipment owned by police. What weapons do they have?

Paul Albani-Burgio, Palm Springs Desert Sun
·6 min read
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A SWAT team with the Palm Springs Police Department responded to a report of "suspicious circumstances" involving a man with a firearm at Pete's Hideaway in downtown Palm Springs, Calif., on September 21, 2021.
A SWAT team with the Palm Springs Police Department responded to a report of "suspicious circumstances" involving a man with a firearm at Pete's Hideaway in downtown Palm Springs, Calif., on September 21, 2021.

Assault weapons. Armored trucks. Flashbangs.

Those are three of the 10 broad types of military equipment currently possessed by the Palm Springs Police Department, and residents will have the opportunity to weigh in on the city's continued ownership and use of such equipment at Thursday's city council meeting.

The city is holding a public hearing on the matter as a result of AB 481, a new state law requiring that all California law enforcement agencies publicly disclose the military equipment they possess and that their governing body adopts a public policy governing its use. The law defines "military equipment" as any equipment falling into 15 categories, including firearms of .50 caliber or greater and weaponized aircraft.

Ahead of Thursday's meeting, the city published the proposed policy the councilmembers will vote on as well as a list of military equipment currently owned by the city. Much, although not all, of the equipment is approved for use only by the city's SWAT team, which Palm Springs shares with Cathedral City. That list consists of the following items and identifies their authorized use under the new ordinance:

  • 34 assault-style rifles in three different types with both full and semi-automatic capabilities. The proposed policy states that the rifles are "to be used in situations that require increased accuracy and precision at long-range distances and are currently used by most law enforcement agencies across the nation."

  • A battery-powered and remote-operated robot for high-risk incidents to gain visual and audio data, such as a subject's location and whether the person is armed. The robot can also be used to deliver phones to hostage negotiation teams, open doors and clear buildings. Use of the robot is limited to trained members of the department's SWAT team, according to the policy. The robot is shared with Cathedral City and primarily paid for by that department.

  • Four armored rescue trucks that are primarily used during high-risk tactical enforcement operations, officer rescues and interventions and provide safety during the apprehension of armed violent suspects, according to the police department. The trucks also provide four-wheel drive capability and can be used to transport or evacuate victims in a flood, fire or other natural disaster scenario. Only a watch commander (highest commanding officer on duty during non-office hours) SWAT commander can deploy the vehicles. The vehicles cost about $730,000 total with about half of the cost being paid for by private donors.

  • A metal broom that can be attached to one of the armored trucks and used for breaching structures and fences, or ramming objects. The broom is to be used during high-risk incidents, including active shooter incidents at schools, to enhance officer and community safety, improve scene containment and stabilization, and assist in resolving critical incidents.

  • One SUV and one pickup truck that have been outfitted with computers and other communication technology for use in law enforcement and public safety situations, including natural disasters.

  • 48 explosive devices known as flashbangs that produce noise and sound and are used to disorient subjects for six to eight seconds to provide a tactical advantage to officers.

  • 23 tear gas grenades, which the department says can be used for crowd control and to gain a temporary tactical advantage over self-destructive or combative subjects.

  • 48 40 mm rubber projectile launchers, which the department says are used to break glass and as a non-lethal means of disarming subjects.

  • 120 shotgun rounds used to breach doors.

  • Several explosive devices used to breach doors.

The proposed Palm Springs policy states that the council finds that the equipment named in the policy is necessary "because there is no reasonable alternative that can achieve the same objective of officer and civilian safety," a necessary finding under state law. It also states that the equipment is reasonably cost-effective compared to possible alternatives that could achieve the same ends.

Potentially controversial is the use of devices such as flashbangs and tear gas following their use during protests nationwide in 2020. The proposed Palm Springs policy states that tear gas and rubber projectiles can be used in crowd control situations. The proposal does not list crowd control situations as one of the approved uses for flashbangs but states they can be used by SWAT officers in hostage situations, the serving of high-risk warrants and other situations where their use "would improve officer safety."

Police toss tear gas toward demonstrators in downtown Rochester, New York.
Police toss tear gas toward demonstrators in downtown Rochester, New York.

AB 481 states the California Legislature finds that the acquisition and use of military equipment "adversely impacts the public's safety and welfare" and presents "increased risks of civilian deaths" and "significant risks to civil rights, civil liberties and physical and psychological well-being." It also notes that the technology is "more frequently deployed in low-income Black and Brown communities, meaning the risks and impacts of police militarization are experienced most acutely in marginalized communities."

It goes on to state that there is a need for increased transparency and public input regarding such equipment, and asserts that the public has the right to know about any acquisition or use of military equipment. The law says decisions regarding military equipment should be made based on meaningful public input and legally enforceable safeguards for transparency and civil rights must be put in place.

"The lack of a public forum to discuss the acquisition of military equipment jeopardizes the relationship police have with the community, which can be undermined when law enforcement is seen as an occupying force rather than a public safety service," it reads.

Some critics point to two university studies they say show the use of such equipment by police does not reduce crime or protect officers. Last May, the American Civil Liberties Union published a commentary about the use of military equipment by police departments titled "Federal Militarization of Law Enforcement Must End" that argued that the influx of dangerous police equipment does not improve public safety and instead leads to "real harms that fall disproportionately on people of color."

The commentary ultimately recommended that "police must be demilitarized, which requires a reduction in access to and use of militarized weapons designed for the battlefield of war, including assault rifles, grenade launchers, incendiary devices, and armored vehicles."

What's next?

Residents wanting to address the city council about the policing issue can attend Thursday's meeting at city hall, which starts at 5:30 p.m., or call 760-323-8204.

If approved, the ordinance will have to be reviewed annually by the council. As part of the review process, the police will be required to submit an annual summary of how the equipment is used, any community complaints received about its use, information about any audits of equipment use or violations of the policy as well as an inventory of the equipment and its cost.

Paul Albani-Burgio covers breaking news and the City of Palm Springs. Follow him on Twitter at @albaniburgiop and via email at paul.albani-burgio@desertsun.com.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Palm Springs police: What military equipment does city have?