Manteca Police are conducting a state-mandated community event showcasing the department’s military equipment.

It takes place Tuesday, Sept. 3, from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Manteca Civic Center council chambers, 1001 W. Center St.

The mandate is the result of Assembly Bill 481 being signed into law in 2022.

The law requires prior approval of city councils before an agency obtains military equipment. It also requires annual reports to the council in addition to a community display at least once a year.

The department is looking to add to its drone fleet and possibly obtaining more ballistic shields.

There has been over 40 instances where Manteca Police have deployed military equipment since May of 2022.

Reasons for deployment included  high risk traffic stop, persons with a firearm, persons with a knife, barricaded suspect, combative suspect,  search warrant, arrest warrant, robbery suspects,  traffic accidents, and National Night Out displays.

The Manteca Police uses military equipment for a variety of reasons including:

*Officer safety

*Enhancing public safety

*De-escalation

*Providing police personnel with the ability to more quickly respond to emergency calls for service

*Providing less lethal methods to safely extract a suspect or safely detain a suspect who poses a risk of violence

*Allowing officers to confront a potentially armed or dangerous suspect from a longer distance.

*Providing mobile communication, sheltering, logistical support, and equipment transportation on scene or at special events.

The Manteca Police Department has not received any complaints and/or concerns regarding military equipment and/or its use.

The department does not participate in the military surplus program.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com