To: Board of Supervisors
From: David O. Livingston, Sheriff-Coroner
Report Title: Purchase of The Rook Tactical Solutions - Ring Power Corporation.
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Purchasing Agent to execute, on behalf of the Sheriff-Coroner, a purchase order with Ring Power Corporation in an amount not to exceed $688,200 for the purchase of a ROOK Armored Vehicle, optional equipment, and warranty; and
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Purchasing Agent to execute, on behalf of the Sheriff-Coroner, a purchase order not to exceed $235,963 for additional required equipment to include a Ford F-750 with MDC/Emergency Lights and a shelter to house the ROOK.
This equipment qualifies as “military equipment” as defined in Government Code 7070 and, in compliance with AB 481, will be maintained in the annual Office of the Sheriff Military Equipment Inventory if approved.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Approval of this request will result in up to $924,163 in capital equipment and vehicle expenditures and will be funded 100% by the department’s current General Fund allocation. The $688,200 expenditure includes costs for the base ROOK vehicle, advanced tactical attachments, and warranty. The purchase of a Ford F-750 with MDC and Emergency Lights will be an expenditure of up to $160,000. The shelter for housing the ROOK will be approximately $75,963.
BACKGROUND:
On September 30, 2021, Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill 481 (AB 481) into law, effective January 1, 2022. This bill added Sections 7070-7075 to the Government Code, regulating local law enforcement’s funding, acquisition, and use of defined “military equipment.” Following AB 481, in May 2022, the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff received the Board of Supervisors’ approval for using existing qualifying equipment and acquiring additional equipment. On July 26, 2022, the Sheriff’s Office requested the Board adopt an ordinance as required by AB 481. Consequently, on August 2, 2022, the Board of Supervisors adopted Ordinance No. 2022-29, approving the Office’s Government Code 7070 Defined Equipment Policy and making findings in line with AB 481.
On July 23, 2024, the Board of Supervisors approved the 2024 Government Code Section 7070 Defined Equipment Policy and projected equipment purchases for the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff, and renewed the ordinance as required by AB 481. At that time, the Office did not anticipate the need to purchase the ROOK armored vehicle, so it was not included in the projected acquisitions. The Rook armored vehicle is military equipment pursuant to Government Code Section 7070(c)(2), which category of equipment was previously authorized by the Board of Supervisors for Sheriff’s Office use. The intended uses of the armored vehicle are consistent with the Sheriff’s Office’s policy and inventory, previously approved by the Board.
The Sheriff’s Office SWAT team uses two BEARCAT armored rescue vehicles for ballistic protection, rescue, and transportation during critical incidents. Adding the ROOK would enhance operational capability, providing a third, versatile option that aligns with the Sheriff’s Office policy and inventory previously approved by the Board.
The BEARCATs have limitations in confined spaces and terrain mobility, and they cannot simultaneously breach and clear threat areas at the ground level or elevated floors. As a result, deputies must often approach targets on foot with handheld ballistic shields, exposing the deputy and citizens to potentially lethal gunfire. Recently, SWAT has responded to two critical incidents highlighting these vulnerable areas. In both incidents, a barricaded subject was actively shooting, and deputies had to approach on foot without armored protection due to obstacles and tight operating spaces.
A recent gap analysis of the team’s capabilities concluded that the team is ill-equipped to respond effectively and operate within the small space of the inner perimeter and elevated floors, often requiring deputies to operate without ballistic protection.
The ROOK would enable the Office of the Sheriff's deputies to:
• Reduce risks and improve safety for citizens and deputies.
• Provide mobile or static ballistic protection to allow deputies to approach, rescue, and evacuate citizens and officers safely.
• Provide rescue capabilities for multi-story dwellings and confined spaces frequently found in our operational areas.
The ROOK, built on a Caterpillar (Cat) chassis, with its ballistic protection, rubber tracks, and compact size, will significantly enhance the safety of our citizens and deputies. It allows the deputies to work safely within the inner perimeter between the BEARCAT Armored Rescue Vehicles and the target location, limiting the need for handheld ballistic shields and reducing exposure to gunfire. The ROOK enables the deputies to safely approach, breach, and enter and can be used as a rescue point while staying behind ballistic protection.
Ring Power Corporation has demonstrated a solid satisfaction track record, and many local and State police agencies in the country are already customers today. The ROOK has been critical for those agencies in confronting complex threats and making tactical operations safer.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
If the Board disapproves, the Office of the Sheriff will be limited in its ability to safely respond to critical incidents, such as barricaded and hostage situations requiring advanced tactics. This could hinder the Office’s ability to protect and rescue civilians and resolve such incidents through negotiated surrender and tactical plans.