1 STAFF REPORT
DATE: June 25, 2024
TO: Justin Hess, City Manager
FROM: Mike Albanese, Chief of Police
BY: Viviana Garzon, Police Administrator
Nazeli Ekimyan, Administrative Analyst II
SUBJECT: Approval of a Five- Year Master Service s and Purchase Agreement Renewal with Axon Enterprise, Inc.
RECOMMENDATION
Approve a Five- Year Master Services and Purchase Agreement Renewal with Axon Enterprise, Inc. to procure updated Body-Worn Camera, In- Car Camera, and Taser system technology.
BACKGROUND
In September 2019, Council approved a five -year Master Services and Purchasing Agreement (MSPA) between the City of Burbank (City) and Axon Enterprise, Inc. (Axon) for t he procurement of Body-Worn Cameras (BWC), In-Car C ameras (ICC), and Conducted Energy Devices commonly referred to by the brand name Taser . The introduction of this modern technology into the Burbank Police Department’s (Department) daily operations marked a transformative shift in how o fficers document their interactions with the public and s erves as a valuable tool in improving policing practices and building public trust. It also reflects the Department’s commitment to optimizing technology to enhance operations and achieve cost savings.
BWCs, ICCs, and tasers have significantly benefited law enforcement by enhancing transparency, accountability, and public trust. The cameras provide objective, real -time evidence crucial for investigations , offering substantial prosecutorial and risk - management value. Tasers offer a less than lethal alternative for subduing combative subjects armed with edged weapons , rocks, bottles, etc., thereby reducing the risk of deadly force encounters and injuries. Additionally, BWCs, ICCs, and tasers are valuable POLICE
DEPARTMENT
2 tools for training and performance reviews, helping to improve policing techniques.
Overall, these technologies support clearer documentation of interactions, aid in conflict resolution, and contribute to the development of effective policing policies. The agreement reinforces the Department’s goal of equipping officers with the current technology and tools necessary to effectively carry out their duties and ensure the safety of the community.
DISCUSSION
The agreement renewal includes provisions for 186 BWCs, 32 ICCs, and 163 Tasers.
Supplementary equipment includes mounts for the BWCs, docking stations for both BWCs and Taser batteries, camera and audio equipment for interview rooms, and Axon software licensing for 210 personnel. Additionally, Axon staff will manage the installation of the ICCs and interview room equipment.
Equipment Upgrades and Replacement
Body-Worn Cameras – AB4
BWCs have become an integral component of law enforcement practices and are now a standard expectation within communities. The Department has witnessed notable benefits following the implementation of its BWC program. By upgrading from the Axon Body 3 (AB3) camera to the Axon Body 4 (AB4) camera, the Department demonstrates its dedication to embracing technological advancements in equipment. The AB4 will introduce a new capability, allowing officers to request livestreaming by supervisors until one arrives at the scene of the investigation. Bi-directional communication on the AB4 will enable supervisors livestreaming the encounter to communicate directly with the officer through the device. Additionally, the renewal will include 12 Point of View Camera Modules for Motor Officers, which will be mounted to their helmets, enabling their BWCs to record from an eye-level angle.
The agreement also includes the A xon Signal Side Arm. This smart sensor attaches to the officer’s holster and triggers the primary users' BWC and other nearby cameras within approximately 20 feet to begin recording the moment the weapon is unholstered.
In-Car Camera System – Fleet 3
The transition from Fleet 2 to Fleet 3 will allow for improved camera quality and extended field of video capture, along with the inte gration of automatic license plate readers (ALPRs) on each vehicle. All fleet vehicles will be equipped with ALPR technology, a functionality currently limited to only a few patrol vehicles.
Taser 10
Tasers are a less than lethal alternative for law enforcement in situations where a subject is combative and/or possess items that can be utilized as weapons. They can be used as a de-escalation tool through the emission of a pulsing light and loud alert sound, which 3 can lead to the subject ’s compliance without a taser activation. Tasers have proven to reduce the risk of serious injury or death for subjects, Officers, and the public. The Department’s transition from the Taser 7 to the Taser 10 will yield several notable benefits. Firs t, the Taser 10 extends the operational distance to 45 feet between the Officer and the subject, enhancing safety and operational flexibility. Moreover, the capabilities of the new device promote accuracy and effectiveness, reducing the likelihood of escalation. This upgrade aligns with the Department’s commitment to leveraging technology to optimize law enforcement practices while prioritizing safety and minimizing risk.
Enhanced Features
A key feature included in the upcoming agreement will be an unlimited auto-transcription feature. This will automatically generate transcripts of all audio and video evidence uploaded by Axon devices, aiding Officers in report writing and Detectives in evidence review.
The recently acquired software feature, Axon Investigate, is included in the five-year renewal agreement and will be made available to additional personnel in the Investigations Division. This software is a powerful tool to expedite the review, analysis, and processing of multimedia evidence. It allows users to construct a cohesive timeline integrating various pieces of video evidence relevant to a case , facilitating a comprehensive understanding of events and their chronological sequence . This enhances the clarity and efficacy of investigative efforts.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This agreement has no potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment, and as such, is not a “project” subject to the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) 14 Cal. Code Regs Section 15378.
FISCAL IMPACT
Axon is the primary provider of this specific technology and the only company that has the capability of fully integrating BWC, ICC, and Taser technologies, along with the supporting proprietary software. An industry leader in the provision of public safety technology, Axon has demonstrated throughout its relationship with the City that it ensures the highest standards of quality and performance, meeting the needs specific to the Department over the past five years. Department personnel are trained and proficient in the utilization of all the Axon technology suite provided under this agreement and the transition to the updated technology can be completed in a timely manner and without disruption to operations. Therefore, the Department recommends dispensing of the competitive process for this agreement.
4 The total fiscal impact of renewing the Axon agreement over the five- year term is $4,229,506.93 to be paid annually as reflected in the table below:
Contract Year Cost
Year 1: $813,962.62
Year 2: $804,326.72
Year 3: $836,499.66
Year 4: $869,959.76
Year 5: $904,758.17
TOTAL: $4,229,506.93
Funds for the first year of the Axon hardware replacement and software as a service (SAAS) maintenance renewal have been collected in the Internal Service Fund 537 (Computer Equipment Replacement Fund).
Staff is requesting Council authority to amend the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024- 25 Adopted Budget by appropriating $813,962.62 from Account Number 537.ND000.30004.0000.000000 (Information Technology Fund, Non- Departmental, Unassigned Fund Balance) to Expenditure Account 537.PD01A.62316.0000.000000 (Information Technology Fund, Patrol, Software and Hardware). Funding for years two through five is being collected in Fund 537 and will be budgeted in expenditure account 537.PD01A.62310 for those years as part of the City’s annual budget process.
CONCLUSION
The five-year renewal of the MSPA with Axon Enterprise, Inc. represents a strategic investment in the Department's ongoing commitment to leveraging advanced technology for enhanced law enforcement operations. The upgraded system technology will continue to bolster the Department's capabilities in terms of transparency, accountability, and efficiency. These advancements will not only improve O fficer and public safety but also aid in accurate documentation and investigation processes. The inclusion of innovative features such as automatic transcription and advanced video analysis tools further emphasizes the Department's dedication to modernizing its approach to policing.
Approving this agreement ensures that the Burbank Police Department remains at the forefront of technological integration in law enforcement, fostering stronger community trust and better policing outcomes. The renewal of the City’s agreement with Axon is a prudent investment in the safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of the Department’s services to the community. With upgraded equipment and innovative features, the Department will continue to uphold its commitment to transparency, accountability, and public safety.
ATTACHMENT
Attachment 1 – Master Services and Purchasing Agreement