Butte County Sheriff officers deployed drones more than 50 times in 2025. Image by diana.grytsku on Freepik

OROVILLE, CA (MPG) - Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea opened his annual military equipment report March 24 by apologizing to the Board of Supervisors for using air quotes when referring to what state law defines as “military equipment.”

“I use my finger quotes purposefully,” Honea said, noting that many of the items classified under Assembly Bill 481 are not military‑issued and, in many cases, can be purchased by the general public from private retailers.

State law requires local law enforcement agencies to obtain annual approval for the use of such equipment and to present a report detailing how it is deployed. Honea said the terminology creates a misleading image.

“When the Legislature passed this law and named the equipment ‘military equipment,’ it tends to cause people to envision things that just aren’t true,” he said.

Undersheriff Matt Calkins told the board the designation includes tools commonly used in modern policing, including drones, armored rescue vehicles, less‑lethal launchers, tear gas and acoustic devices.

Much of the equipment, he said, is used to create distance, gather information, slow situations down and help deputies respond to a wide range of public safety threats, emergencies and complex situations, including those that may exceed local resources or require coordination with neighboring jurisdictions.

Drones, for example, were deployed more than 50 times in 2025, Calkins said, primarily during search warrants, missing‑person cases and patrol calls. They provide aerial surveillance, allowing deputies to identify threats, track suspects and relay real‑time information to officers on the ground.

The report lists four DJI Mavic drones in service.

In one incident, deputies used a drone before entering a rural property where a suspect was believed to be armed. The aerial view allowed them to monitor the individual’s movements - including watching him toss a gun into the grass - and delay contact until additional resources arrived, ultimately leading to a safe surrender.

In another case, a drone was flown inside the open front door of a residence to determine whether a wanted felony arson suspect was holding a weapon. The video revealed the object was a cellphone, allowing deputies to avoid a potentially dangerous entry.

Less‑lethal tools were also used in several incidents. According to the report, 40mm launchers deploy impact foam rounds, sponge rounds or tear gas projectiles designed to gain compliance without causing serious injury.

During a vehicle barricade incident, Calkins said deputies used a 40mm foam round to break a window and restore visibility, followed by a tear gas round that prompted the suspect to exit. The individual was taken into custody without further incident.

The department also uses diversionary devices, commonly known as flashbangs, to disorient individuals during high‑risk entries, and a long‑range acoustic device to issue commands over distance in volatile situations.

The inventory includes one 40mm launcher, three flashbang devices, one long‑range acoustic device and multiple less‑lethal rounds, including sponge and foam projectiles.

An armored BearCat vehicle, deployed four times in 2025, allows deputies to approach dangerous scenes with added protection, particularly in rural areas where backup may be delayed.

The department maintains one BearCat armored vehicle and one remotely operated robot used for hazardous situations.

Calkins said the equipment is intended to expand options between verbal commands and deadly force, improving outcomes for both deputies and the public.

Supervisor Tami Ritter, who described herself as “left‑leaning,” said her perspective on the equipment changed after participating in the Sheriff’s recent “Deputy for a Day” program, which allows community members to tour facilities and experience real‑life scenarios in a VirTra training simulator. The initiative aims to increase public awareness of the department’s work and community safety.

“I will say that not only did I get killed in each simulation, but I also … I think I fired at a man holding a baby,” Ritter said, describing the high‑pressure training scenarios.

The experience, she said, showed how quickly situations can escalate and the importance of having less‑lethal tools available.

“It really opened my eyes to how BCSO uses these things,” Ritter said.

Honea said he appreciated Ritter’s open‑mindedness and willingness to try something that was probably a little outside her comfort zone. 

“With training, you have the opportunity to make mistakes … that you hopefully won’t have to make in the real world,” he said.

The annual report shows no complaints or violations related to the Sheriff’s Office use of the equipment, which remains subject to internal review and chain‑of‑command approval.

Supervisors accepted the report and renewed the ordinance governing its use for another year.

Honea said the training is designed to give participants a realistic understanding of the split‑second decisions deputies face.