The Union City City Council is renewing the Military Equipment Use ordinance. It’s part of AB 481, a California law that increases transparency, oversight and a chance for the public to have a conversation about the use of military equipment by their local police departments.
All law enforcement agencies have to submit an annual report on the use of military equipment, identify the equipment and state any new weapons they plan to purchase. Union City’s military equipment ordinance has been approved yearly since 2022. The city council approved it again at the June 9 meeting.
The military equipment used by the Union City Police Department (UCPD) in 2025 includes an armored rescue vehicle, a mobile command vehicle, a robot used in dangerous situations, 10 drones, 12 fully automatic AR-15 rifles, 51 semi-automatic AR-15 rifles and 14 precision rifles.
UCPD Lieutenant Jean Jimenez said the department plans to buy a set of SWAT close encounter firearms that would replace the current ones, which were purchased in the early 2000s.
According to UCPD’s 2025 military equipment inventory, the automatic and semi-automatic rifles are used during extremely violent situations. The precision rifles are used to thwart active shooters and terrorist attacks. All three weapons are issued after thorough training and completion of courses. The officers have to follow reasonable use of force policies.
The department said there were 31 incidents in 2025 that involved military equipment. UCPD said 22 of those were from using drones for suspect search and traffic safety. No complaints or violations were received that year.
There’s a required yearly community engagement event where the public has the chance to see the equipment and ask questions. Before the approval process, the city council is responsible for deciding if the military equipment is necessary. They have to decide if the equipment enhances officer and public safety, is cost effective and if it ensures the public’s welfare, safety, civil rights and civil liberties.
