HomeMy WebLinkAbout8/20/2024 Item 6a, Scott - Staff Agenda CorrespondenceCity of San Luis Obispo, Council Memorandum
City of San Luis Obispo
Council Agenda Correspondence
DATE: August 20, 2024
TO: Mayor and Council
FROM: Rick Scott, Chief of Police
VIA: Whitney McDonald, Interim City Manager
SUBJECT: ITEM 6a - POLICE DEPARTMENT 2023 ANNUAL REPORT AND
ASSEMBLY BILL 481 ANNUAL UPDATE
Staff received the following questions, regarding the Police Department Annual Report
and Assembly Bill 481 Equipment Use Annual Update. The questions are below with
staff’s response shown in italics:
1) On page 236 of the packet, it is explained that 31 PD staff have completed
40-hour CIT training. Is it our intention to have ALL PD staff take this training,
or only those that are sworn or some other category of service working with
the public? (dispatchers, CAT, CSOs?)
The Chief’s directive is to have all field staff who directly deal with individuals
experiencing a crisis, such as the 61 sworn officers and the 6 Community Service
Officers (CSOs), complete the 40-hour Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training as
soon as practical. This training focuses on equipping personnel who frequently
interact with the public in crisis situations, ensuring they are prepared to respond
effectively.
2) Am I understanding correctly that we have purchased 3 new drones in the
last year – two of them being new models to us: a DJI Matrice and a DJI
Avata? What was the identified need for these new devices when we already
had four other devices (consisting of three different models)? In purchasing
these new models, did staff take into account the ongoing annual costs
which seem more significant than the other devices we own?
The Police Department purchased new drones last year, which were reported to
Council as part of the 2022 AB481 Annual Update. All associated costs were taken
into account prior to purchase. (Drone maintenance mainly consists of battery
replacement, and contingencies for parts breakage, propellers etc.) The Matrice is
much larger than the Mavic drones, with higher resolution camera capabilities,
longer and sustained flight times, and allows for flying in inclement weather, which
is not possible with the Mavic. The Avata is specifically designed to fly indoors due
to its small size, allowing the clearing of rooms prior to Officers entering, improving
safety for the community and our Officers. One of our older Mavic drones reached
end of lifecycle and was no longer supported by the manufacturer. It is now used
as a training drone.
Item 6a. Police Department 2023 Annual Report and Assembly Bill 481 Annual Update Page 2
3) On page 309/310 of the packet, it is noted that we have increased the quantity
on hand of several different types of smoke and chemical agents and smoke
canisters. Can you please explain the need for these increases?
Both chemical and smoke agents expire due to the active ingredients degrading
over time. In addition, several of the munitions we have are no longer
manufactured and a replacement munition was needed. Some of these items
have lead times on orders of over 8 months, so munitions were ordered to retain
sufficient inventory and account for existing expirations dates in the future.
Expired munitions are frequently used in trainings.
4) And the DRACO tool is mentioned in some of these, but I do not see an
explanation of what that is. Can you please explain?
DRACO is an attachment that is fitted to the front of the Bearcat vehicle that allows
for the delivery of irritants into a structure without Officers having to exit the safety
of the vehicle. Prior to the DRACO device, Officers used a thick string to
mechanically activate the irritants on the front arm of the Bearcat. As part of the
2022 Equipment Use report, it was reported that DRACO capable irritants would
be purchased that can be electronically activated, reducing the failure rate of using
a string to activate the irritant. The DRACO mechanism does not meet the criteria
for inclusion in the AB481 report as it is simply a mechanism that holds other
reportable equipment.
5) Also, under “Flameless Tri-Chamber OC,” there is the word “why?” in red.
Can you please expand on that?
This was an error on the part of staff and was not deleted prior to finalizing and
inclusion of the report. These munitions were purchased as part of the order to
replace those items discontinued, accounting for future expiration and ensuring
sufficient inventory on-hand.
6) Related to the following screenshot:
Is another meeting required besides the council meeting to obtain feedback
from the community? If so, when is/was that?
The Council meeting on 8/20/2024 fulfils the requirement to have a community
engagement meeting. There is not a separate community meeting specifically
covering AB481. The community is invited to provide feedback during the public
comment portion of this item.