Military Weapons, Equipment Use By Murrieta Police: Public Meeting Set

MURRIETA, CA — Murrieta residents and businesses interested in obtaining more information about the police department's acquisition and use of military equipment are invited to get their questions answered this week.

At 5 p.m. Feb. 23, the Murrieta Police Department will host a public "engagement meeting" in its community room. The department is located at 2 Town Square.

The upcoming event follows a Feb. 6 public meeting in which Murrieta City Council gave a green light to the police department's 2023 Annual Military Equipment Report.

The report provides a summary of Murrieta Police Department's military equipment, including its command and control vehicles, armored vehicles, unmanned aerial systems, robots, bolt-action rifles, projectile launchers, ammunition, diversionary devices and chemical agents, among others. Initial and ongoing costs of the equipment are also included in the report.

During the 2023 reporting period, the Murrieta police responded to 66,956 calls for service; military equipment was deployed in 44 incidents, or approximately 0.06% of the total calls, according to the department's military equipment report.

California law enforcement agencies are required under the state's AB 481 to hold public meetings and provide annual reports about their procurement and use of military equipment.

Questions about the Murrieta Police Department’s use of military equipment can be directed to Lt. Jeremy Durrant at jdurrant@murrietaca.gov or 951-461-6317. Anyone unable to attend the Feb. 23 meeting can reach out.