SACRAMENTO—Sacramento County supervisors have cleared the way for the Sheriff’s Office to spend more than $1 million on new military equipment, including a $500,000 armored vehicle, dozens of drones, and a $449,000 robot. The Board of Supervisors approved the request 4-0 Tuesday, authorizing purchases officials say are critical to replacing aging gear and improving public safety in high-risk situations. Supervisor Patrick Kennedy was absent for the vote.
The approval allows the Sheriff’s Office to replace aging assets with updated technology, headlined by the acquisition of a new Lenco Bearcat armored vehicle. The agency’s 2008 model, according to tactical commander James Petrinovich, is “running on fumes at this point.” Bearcats, which now carry a price tag exceeding $500,000, are designed to transport tactical officers during gun battles and to rescue civilians or deputies from high-risk encounters.
The board also signed off on requests for 27 replacement drones, priced between $5,000 and $9,000 each, along with a Boston Dynamics SPOT robot valued at $449,000. The four-legged robotic system is built to conduct reconnaissance in hostile or hazardous environments where sending officers would be too dangerous. Sheriff’s officials said their current drone fleet is frequently damaged or destroyed in operations, making replacements essential to maintaining capabilities.
Sacramento County’s 2025 Military Equipment Annual Report underscores the scale of the agency’s existing arsenal. The Sheriff’s Office maintains 56 drones, nine robots, three armored vehicles, multiple high-mobility vehicles, and more than 500 standard patrol rifles. The inventory also includes flashbang grenades, chemical agents, less-lethal launchers, and a Barrett .50 caliber rifle reserved for SWAT sniper teams.
Sheriff’s officials defended the use of the technology, emphasizing that it is not deployed for routine patrol or surveillance but rather for emergencies such as barricaded suspects, active shooter incidents, large-scale disasters, and even infrastructure security at Folsom Dam. The report details strict oversight and training: drone pilots are FAA-certified, bomb squad robot operators are FBI-trained, and SWAT officers undergo specialized courses for rifles, flashbangs, and explosive breaching tools.
Annual costs to maintain the equipment are substantial. The drone program alone requires $30,000 a year in upkeep, armored vehicles add more than $13,000 in fuel and maintenance, and command vehicles run another $5,000 annually. Ammunition and less-lethal munitions represent additional ongoing expenses.
During Tuesday’s hearing, supporters on the board argued that the investment is justified. “It’s indisputable that this kind of technology has resulted in safer outcomes for both officers and members of the public,” Supervisor Rich Desmond said. “I think these are prudent items, and I encourage the sheriff to acquire them.”
The acquisitions come under Assembly Bill 481, passed in 2021, which requires California law enforcement agencies to seek local government approval before purchasing or funding military-grade equipment. The law also mandates annual public reports, community meetings, and ongoing oversight to ensure transparency and accountability.
With approval now in place, the new equipment will be phased in over the coming months. Officials say the upgrades will keep the Sheriff’s Office prepared for modern threats, from organized retail theft to potential acts of terrorism, while continuing to balance officer safety and community trust.
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