The OCDA is hosting a public meeting about their use of military equipment on June 30

In accordance with AB 481, the Orange County District Attorney, Bureau of Investigation will hold a community engagement meeting on Friday, June 30, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. in the County Administration South multipurpose room located at 601 N. Ross St., in Santa Ana.

Members of the community will have an opportunity to ask questions about AB481 to the following OCDA Bureau of Investigation personnel:

• Chief Paul Walters
• Commander Misty Daniels
• Supervising Investigator Loren Dawson
• Supervising Investigator Dean Fulcher
• Rangemaster Lance Healey
• Budget Manager Scott Allen

Effective January 1, 2022, Assembly Bill (AB) 481 requires law enforcement agencies to obtain approval of the applicable governing body (Board of Supervisors), by adoption of a military equipment use policy, prior to taking certain actions relating to the funding, acquisition, or use of military equipment.

Pursuant to AB 481, the OCDA’s Bureau of Investigation will publish an annual report to include each type of military equipment approved by the O.C. County Board of Supervisors for as long as the military equipment is available for use. The annual military equipment report shall, at a minimum, include the following information for the immediately preceding calendar year for each type of military equipment:

• A summary of how the military equipment was used and the purpose of its use.
• A summary of any complaints or concerns received concerning the military equipment.
• The results of any internal audits, any information about violations of the military equipment use policy, and any actions taken in response.
• The total annual cost for each type of military equipment, including acquisition, personnel, training, transportation, maintenance, storage, upgrade, and other ongoing costs, and from what source funds will be provided for the military equipment in the calendar year following submission of the annual military equipment report.
• The quantity possessed for each type of military equipment.
• If the law enforcement agency intends to acquire additional military equipment in the next year, the quantity sought for each type of military equipment.

*Please note, District Attorney Todd Spitzer will not be present at this meeting.

Editor’s Note – we tried to find the OCDA’s annual AB 481 report on their website and were unable to track it down. They need to make this report easier to find!