Syracuse Police Department Responds Executive Order Action #6 By Releasing Inventory Of All Military Equipment

Press release from the City of Syracuse:

September 15 2020

On June 19, Mayor Ben Walsh issued the Syracuse Police Reform Executive Order No.1 and outlined in Action #6 that the Administration committed to conducting a complete inventory of all equipment acquired through military surplus programs that are in possession of the Syracuse Police Department.

Where does Syracuse Police get military equipment? The City of Syracuse obtains military surplus items through the 1033 Program. The program is run by the United States Department of Defense, and is facilitated by the New York State Department of Criminal Justice Services, which acts as the coordinator of the program and plays a role in ensuring cities, towns and villages follow strict rules and guidelines established by the program.

What kind of items does Syracuse Police get through the program? There are different kinds of police equipment.

• Standard Police Issued Equipment
• Special Detail Equipment (example SWAT Team equipment)
• Military-Issued Equipment

Here we are sharing the list of Military Equipment that the City gets through the program.

FINAL INVENTORY BUTTON

The Syracuse Police will also share with the public information on its Special Detail Equipment and Standard Police Issued equipment so residents can see the difference between military equipment and how Special Detail Equipment is used, not used, and obtained for significant events.

All items that cities get from the program are retired military surplus items that would be destroyed otherwise. As such, the City of Syracuse does not pay for any items procured through the program aside from maintenance costs. The only maintenance-related cost incurred to date through the 1033 program equipment was the cost associated with shipping for a replacement MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) vehicle tire on August 29, 2019, which totaled $367.88.

What we do not purchase through the 1033 Program

The Syracuse Police Department does not possess or use any firearms associated with the 1033 program. SPD last acquired firearms through the program 23 years ago, when the SWAT team was first equipped with rifles. SPD has since asked the DOD/DCJS to destroy the rifles and has done so.

Adherence to the rules and guidelines set forth by DOD and DCJS are strict. Not following these rules and guidelines can result in an agency being restricted in their use of the program or suspended or terminated from the program.

Who ensures that Syracuse Police use this equipment appropriately?

Syracuse Police are required to submit an annual inventory of controlled property through an online DOD/DLA portal called the Federal Excess Property Management Information System. DOD/DCJS conduct random on-site inspections to ensure the information they receive is accurate. SPD’s last inspection was approximately two years ago.

Note to Reader:

All equipment reported through the 1033 program can be found at the following site: https://www.dla.mil/DispositionServices/Offers/Reutilization/LawEnforcement/PublicInformation/*

*To access the inventory spreadsheet, follow the below instructions:

1. In the first section click on the “Alaska-Wyoming and US Territories” link.
2. Open the Excel file.
3. Choose the tab for New York and scroll down to rows titled “SYRACUSE POLICE DEPT.”

This press release was produced by the City of Syracuse. The views expressed here are the author’s own.