Downey police detail use of drones, armored vehicle

DOWNEY — The City Council has renewed the Downey Police Department’s military equipment policy after reviewing an annual report detailing how drones, an armored rescue vehicle and other equipment were used during 2025.

The council adopted a resolution approving the department’s 2025 Annual Military Equipment Report and renewing a 2022 ordinance regulating the acquisition, funding and use of equipment classified as “military equipment” under state law.

The reporting requirement stems from Assembly Bill 481, which took effect in 2022 and requires law enforcement agencies to obtain approval from their governing bodies before acquiring or using certain equipment.

The definition extends beyond equipment traditionally associated with the military and can include drones, armored vehicles, specialized firearms, less-lethal launchers, flash-bang devices and chemical agents.

According to the annual report, Downey police deployed unmanned aircraft systems, or drones, 29 times during 2025 for purposes including burglary and robbery investigations, searches for missing people, domestic violence and restraining order investigations, traffic incidents and protests.

The department’s armored rescue vehicle was deployed six times, including five SWAT warrant services and a September assault-with-a-deadly-weapon incident that resulted in a SWAT callout.

A less-lethal shotgun was fired once, on April 10, when officers detained an uncooperative person armed with a knife. Pepperball equipment was also discharged once, on July 9, while officers detained a restraining-order violation suspect who was under the influence and on the roof of a residence.

Flash-bang distraction devices were used during two SWAT operations. Department rifles, personally owned rifles authorized for police use, chemical agents and 37/40 mm launchers were not discharged operationally during the year.

The report does not count equipment used during routine training.

Police said the department received no complaints regarding its use of military equipment in 2025. An internal audit conducted by the department’s Professional Standards sergeant also found no violations of the approved military equipment policy.