Redwood City police get armored rescue vehicle, drones

Training and tools purchased for military equipment make up .4% of the entire police department’s $64 million budget. In 2024, training cost $191,473 while equipment purchases cost $38,734, Castro said.

“These tools were not merely acquisitions, they represent our dedication to enhancing deescalation techniques, supporting officer and community safety, and leveraging technological advances to improve overall operation effectiveness,” Castro said. 

The armored rescue vehicle was approved by the City Council in 2023, and was purchased through a federal grant given to the Port of Redwood City. Acquisition of the vehicle, which is described as a particular asset in the event of a natural disaster or active shooter, is scheduled to occur this summer, Castro said. 

“During high-risk operations, it protects officers, supports deescalation efforts with loud speakers and assists in the safe extraction of civilians and hostages,” Castro said. 

The Redwood City Council acknowledged the public’s concern of an armored rescue vehicle, especially after the city had returned one it previously owned as a reaction to Black Lives Matter protests in June 2020. 

Councilmember Isabella Chu added that “anything that’s a tool can also be used as a weapon,” and that’s why the public may be fearful of what equipment is purchased. Chu said it “comes down to the heart and the intent of the people using the tool.” 

Councilmember Jeff Gee said training staff under the right policies is key. 

“Having the right policies, having the right people, and having the right training can make a huge difference when lives are at stake,” Gee said. “I trust our police chief and our police force to train, to have the right policies, and to use that particular vehicle when lives and seconds matter.” 

In April 2024, the City Council approved the purchase of drones, a long-range acoustical device, a kinetic breaching tool kid, and two tactical sponge-round launchers. Most of these are used by special response teams, Castro said. There were four special response team activations in 2024.  

The development of the department’s drone program is underway, and is expecting it to be fully operational by the end of 2025, Castro said. Already purchased drones were used in seven incidents in 2024, including looking for missing persons, mental health crises and searching for a wanted subject. 

The tactical sponge-round launchers purchased were fired eight times in 2024. The council had agreed in 2024 to purchase five of these launchers, but due to rising costs the department only purchased two, for a total cost of $7,867. 

“Despite the potential for community concerns, there were no complaints related to the use of military equipment by the Redwood City Police Department during this reporting period,” Castro said. 

In May, the Redwood City Council approved the department’s $1.5 million purchase of new Tasers and training.