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....
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