The Chico Police Department will host a public meeting Feb. 23 to review its 2025 Military Equipment Use Annual Report and discuss inventory expansion ahead of a required City Council hearing in March.
The meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the Old Municipal Building, 441 Main St. According to the department, the report details the types and amounts of state-defined military equipment used in 2025, how and why the equipment was deployed, and whether its use complied with state law and department policy.
The session will also include a review of the proposed military equipment policy in 2026, followed by an opportunity for community members to ask questions and provide feedback.
In its review of the proposed policy, ChicoSol found that the department plans to purchase three additional drones for building a Drone as First Responder program, and seven rifles, to expand the existing inventory. Drones will cost $20,000 each and rifles will cost $1,400 each.
In addition, the police department proposes to purchase three incident command vehicles and pepper ball launchers and projectiles.
Three incident command vehicles are expected to cost between $355,000 and $522,000 each. The policy states that the purchase was approved during the department’s 2024 budget request, but funding was not available at that time. It adds that pricing has since changed.
The existing inventory includes two robots at a total cost of $113,000.
The policy outlines the purpose of the robots.
“To be used to provide protection from suspected and known explosive hazards,” it states. “They are also used in tactical support of special operations and can be used to gain visual/audio data, deliver a Crisis Negotiation Team phone, open doors and clear buildings.”
In addition to the initial purchase cost, the Capital Improvement Project sets aside $10,000 annually for replacement of the robots.
The proposed policy and last year’s report are available on the City website. Community members can also submit questions in advance to Capt. Omar Peña at omar.pena@chicoca.gov with the subject line “Military Equipment Meeting.”
The City Council is scheduled to review and consider approval of the policy at its March 3 meeting. Last year, during the Council meeting, some Chico residents expressed concern about potential use of the equipment on peaceful protesters and possible infringements on their First Amendment rights.
Yucheng Tang covers city government for ChicoSol.