TO: Mayor and Commissioners
FROM: Steven Chapman, Interim Chief Purchasing Officer / Purchasing Department
THROUGH: Donald B. Cooper, City Manager
DATE: April 19, 2016
Title
CONTRACT AWARD/TASER INTERNATIONAL INC./BODY-WORN CAMERAS & TASERS
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Recommended Action:
Recommendation
Motion to Approve TASER, Axon Equipment and Evidence.com under Section 36.03(C)(6)(b) as a City Standard and to approve the first phase of the body camera program with the initial purchase of 20 body-worn cameras and Tasers in the amount of $34,260 from Taser International, Inc. in accordance Section 36.02 (A)(6)(a), "Sole Source".
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Background:
Law enforcement agencies across the country and worldwide are using body-worn cameras to provide a visual and audio record of law enforcement interactions with the public. Given the issues facing police work nationally cameras have received attention as a means to provide clarity in police issues especially where a fatality may occur. The Police Department would like to implement the first phase of a body camera program and if successful, phase in body camera use for the uniformed personnel in the next couple of years, dependent upon funding appropriations. The body camera program is helpful in prosecution when presenting evidence to court, in deflecting fraudulent complaints and potential lawsuits, and for completing reports accurately. It helps strengthen accountability and transparency, and can assist in deescalating conflicts, resulting in more constructive encounters between the police and members of the community. It is believed that use of body-worn cameras will become a national standard.
The Police Department is recommending the purchase of 20 body-worn cameras for the first phase of the program at this time and will request the rest of the body cameras in the Capital Improvement Plan, to be reviewed and approved according to the CIP process and dependent upon available funding. The Department is requesting a purchase through Taser International, Inc. which is a current sole source manufacturer of our TASER conducted electrical weapons (CEW's). This vendor is the sole source provider of the body-worn cameras that can be activated using a TASER CEW. This means when our officers deploy and activate their Tasers, all body-worn Axon cameras will activate automatically. The cost of the first phase of the program as provided in the quote is $34,260 which includes 20 Axon body-worn cameras, 20 Tasers, 4 six bay docks for the cameras for automatic charging and upload of the video, unlimited cloud storage, Evidence.com integration license, multiple mounting options, and 20 signal units which are communications devices used in vehicles to turn cameras on in the event of emergency light bar activation, or other activation triggers. The Police Department is currently in the phasing process for our Tasers, to upgrade to a newer model. Combining purchase of body-worn cameras and Tasers results in cost saving for the Taser devices. They are usually $1,600 each but when combined with the body-worn cameras, the cost is $1,200 each ($20/a month each x 60 months). This cost is split through the 5 years of the proposed contract. If for some reason, the contract is terminated, it should be noted that we would need to make additional payment on top of $34,260 for the vendor to recover costs of the Taser devices that we took possession of.
Per attached quote, if the program is fully implemented, the cost for the program over the next five years of the proposed contract is $939,483.43. This would include a total of 145 body-worn cameras and Taser devices, signal units, docks for charging, training, Evidence.com license, extended warranties for cameras and Tasers, and unlimited cloud storage. Implementation of this program would also have an impact on the operating budget. One additional Police Information Specialist is being requested in the FY 16/17 budget for the purpose of responding to the public records requests for the video footage, redaction, processing, candidating, review and inspection.The approximate cost of the additional position for FY 16/17 is $46,318.
Axon body-worn cameras interface with OSSI, our Records Management System (RMS) and CAD, to allow for metadata to be captured.
Other features of the body-worn cameras selected include:
TASER body-worn cameras have a 30 second pre-event record buffer option which allows the user to capture 30 seconds of video footage prior to activating the camera in record mode.
TASER body-worn cameras have a 12 hour battery life both in pre-event and normal record modes, eliminating the need to recharge the camera during the shift.
TASER body-worn cameras and digital evidence management solution enables officers to immediately link and attach metadata to recordings prior to the evidence being uploaded. The ability to attach metadata in the field improves accuracy and efficiency.
TASER’s Evidence Transfer Manager (ETM Dock) allows automatic file uploading and simultaneous recharging of body cameras. Each ETM has multiple docking stations and officers do not have to be present while files upload. Officers can dock their cameras in seconds at the end of their shift and go home; no log-in or wait is required. This will save time, keep officers on patrol in communities longer, and have the equipment ready at the start of the officers next shift.
TASERS “Evidence Mobile” is the only mobile application that gives officers the ability to capture digital evidence, immediately identify it, and link it to Evidence.com from an iOS or Android mobile device. This application allows the evidence to immediately become manageable and searchable in Evidence.com.
TASER body-worn cameras have Retina Low Light capability sensitive to less than 1 lux, providing high quality recording in difficult lighting situations.
City Attorney Review:
Approved as to form and legal sufficiency.
Finance Department Review:
Finance is currently conducting a financial analysis of this project.
Funding Source:
The Police Department currently has several vacancies. The funding for the vacancies will be used to offset the cost of the first phase of the body-worn camera program. Funding will come from account numbers 001-2115-521-52.27 (Equipment Under $1,000) and 001-2115-521-34.90. (Other Contractual Services).