Armored Personnel Carrier.
Fresno Police Department 2025 Military Equipment Annual Report PowerPoint
The Fresno Police Department utilized military-grade equipment like robots, rifles and bearcats in its enforcement in 2025.
That’s according to the police department’s annual Military Equipment Report set to go before the Fresno City Council for approval next week, as required under a 2022 state law.
The report outlines what kind of military-grade equipment the Fresno Police Department used in 2025, how often it was used and how much it costs. It says that the option to deploy military equipment when appropriate supports the department’s mission to protect life and minimize uses of force while seeking a peaceful resolution whenever possible.
Fresno Police Department officials declined to comment. A public meeting will be held at City Hall on Wednesday, March 25, at 6 p.m. regarding the Military Equipment Report.
Here’s what to know about Fresno’s use of military-grade equipment in 2025, according to the report.
Fresno Police has 16 military-grade robots, utilized on twice in 2025
In 2025, the Fresno Police Department utilized military-grade robots on two separate occasions. The department has a fleet of 16 robots across eight different models, with multiple units of several types.
The robots each range in price from around $10,500 to nearly $171,000. The most expensive robot owned by Fresno Police is called the Robotex Avatar III, of which the department has two.
It’s a battery-powered, remote-operated device that can be used to remotely gain visual or audio data, deliver phones to hostages, open doors, disrupt packages or devices, clear buildings and deliver non-lethal munitions and chemical agents.
Incidents that could qualify for use of the Robotex Avatar III include a high-risk warrant service, and hostage negotiation or rescue.
Use is limited to the Department’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team members and other tactical teams normally tasked with high-risk incidents.
A small and a large Explosive Ordinance Disposal Robot were each used by the department once in 2025. These robots are used for observing and inspecting hazardous or explosive devices by bomb squad personnel.
Robots. Fresno Police Department 2025 Military Equipment Annual Report PowerPoint Drones used 293 times last year in Fresno
The police department maintains a fleet of 40 military-grade unmanned aerial vehicles, commonly known as drones, which were used 293 times throughout 2025.
Drones are deployed when its view would assist officers in situations like major collision investigations, search for a missing person, natural disaster management, crime scene photography and SWAT, tactical or other public safety and life preservation missions.
Drones. Fresno Police Department 2025 Military Equipment Annual Report PowerPoint Bearcats, MATV, other military vehicles
Fresno has six military-grade vehicles, including two Lenco Bearcat Armored Rescue Vehicles and North Star Command Vehicle on a Ford F-650 chassis that costs $455,000.
The two Bearcats, a 2006 and 2023 model, were used a total of 16 times in 2025. They are armored vehicles designed to withstand multiple bullet strikes from small arms fire and low-level explosions, equipped with emergency lights, sirens and a public address system.
Common uses include citizen and officer rescues, evacuations and the deployment of officers.
The 2010 Osh Kosh Mine Resistant All-Terrain Vehicle, commonly referred to as a MATV, was used twice in 2025. Similar to a Bearcat, it’s a large, armored rescue vehicle that protects from bullets. Annual maintenance costs about $5,000.
The 2023 North Star Command is a crisis negotiations team vehicle that serves as a sort of office on wheels. It was used 12 times in 2025 and has an annual maintenance cost of approximately $5,000.
The 2001 International 4700 Crew Cab is a mobile commander center vehicle. It can be used as a command center for critical incident callouts, disasters, and significant events. It was used seven times in 2025 and has an annual maintenance cost of around $2,500. However, an upgrade is planned in 2026, which will cost about $25,000.
The SWAT team uses the 2019 Ford F650 Super Duty-Braun Northwest in high-risk incidents. It’s equipped with computer monitors, police computer network data and communication equipment.
It was used 14 times in 2025 and has an annual maintenance cost of about $5,000.
There were 37 community events in 2025 where some of the armored vehicles were brought to “promote public awareness and education,” the report said.
Fresno does not have any Humvees, weaponized aircraft or tracked armored vehicles that provide ballistic protection to their occupants.
Armored Personnel Carrier. Fresno Police Department 2025 Military Equipment Annual Report PowerPoint No specialty shotgun shells, explosives used in 2025
Fresno PD has two kinds of shotgun breaching rounds used to force open closed or locked doors.
The Royal Arms breaching rounds are designed to disable a locking mechanism. Shotgun breaching rounds are used to gain rapid access to a room or structure when an emergency exit or conventional breaching method is unsafe or infeasible.
Neither was used in 2025. The fiscal impact is estimated between $250 and $500 a year.
The police department also possesses three different kinds of explosives. None were utilized in 2025.
Fresno has over 500 military-grade rifles and snipers, used twice in 2025
The Fresno Police Department has over 500 military-grade rifles and snipers, which were utilized on two occasions in 2025.
Patrol rifles make up 482 of the fleet. It allows an officer to take lethal affirmative action from a safe distance. Bullets fired from these rifles can penetrate soft body armor.
Fresno’s SWAT team sniper unit has 42 precision rifles equipped with enhanced magnified optics. The report says these optics are critical for gathering intel and, if needed, for safely engaging a lethal threat to preserve life.
Annual maintenance costs for these rifles and snipers could be between $4,999 and $79,999.
Fresno PD does not have any firearms that launch explosives.
Sniper rifle. Fresno Police Department 2025 Military Equipment Annual Report PowerPoint Tactical distraction tools used three times in 2025
The Fresno Police Department has 156 light and sound disruption devices (LSDD), which are used to cause sensory deprivation to a threatening person, giving officers an advantage.
The small, handheld devices create atmospheric overpressure, a bright flash and a loud sound when deployed.
LSDDs were used three times in 2025. Annual costs are estimated between $2,900 and $5,745.
Tear gas and pepper spray devices
The Fresno Police Department has 138 devices containing tear gas or OC, more commonly known as pepper spray.
The use of these devices is to limit the escalation of conflict through pain compliance.
The Def Tec 40mm CS munitions were used on seven occasions in 2025, while Def-Tec and CTS Tri-Chambers were not utilized.
The department also has over 2,000 Pepper Ball Launchers.
They are CO2-powered devices that fire a scented powder used in crowd control situations.
The report says these devices are used as de-escalation tools and are a non-lethal option in a potentially violent encounter.
Pepper Ball Launchers were used once in 2025. The annual cost for these devicises is estimated between $4,200 and and $21,000.
Pepper ball launcher. Fresno Police Department 2025 Military Equipment Annual Report PowerPoint Kinetic energy weapons and munitions
The Fresno Police Department also has kinetic energy weapons and munitions.
These devices are used to fire direct impact less-lethal munitions, gas irritants, and or warning munitions, to minimize the escalation of conflict as a less-lethal option.
Less-lethal means the tool is designed to control, incapacitate, or stop threats while significantly reducing the risk of death or permanent injury compared to conventional firearms.
They may be used in incidents that include dangerous people or in riot and crowd control.
The LMT 40mm tactical single-launchers were utilized 10 times in 2025. Milkor MGL-LTL Multi-launchers were utilized 16 times in 2025.
Over 5,000 bean bag weapons
The Fresno Police Department has over 5,000 bean bag weapons.
They are considered a less-lethal shotgun that shoots pellets encased in a cloth. The report says that when fired, the pellets are designed to flatten upon impact while remaining intact, delivering a forceful blow to the subject.
It’s used to limit the escalation of conflict as a less-lethal option.
The annual finincial impact is expected to be between $11,500 and 29,000. These less lethal shotguns were utalized five times in 2025.
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