Staff Report
City Council
Item No. 2.B
Meeting Date: August 13, 2025
From: George Crum, Police Chief
Title: Presentation on the Axon Body 4 Body-Worn Camera (BWC) RECOMMENDATION:
This item is presented for information and discussion.
BACKGROUND:
In 2016, the Police Department implemented a body-worn camera program to enhance transparency, build community trust, and improve evidence collection. From its inception, the program has emphasized officer accountability, transparency, and safety - core components of the department’s mission to provide progressive and professional law enforcement services.
Each sworn officer and detective were issued a BWC. The program later expanded to include Community Service Officers and Citizens on Patrol, enabling the department to capture and document nearly all citizen interactions on video.
Currently, the department uses Intrensic body-worn cameras with their proprietary software for evidence storage and case management. The in-car camera system in use is Motorola WatchGuard, which also operates on a separate storage and software platform. The two systems are not integrated, requiring personnel to log into each platform individually to review BWC and in-car footage of the same incident.
DISCUSSION:
Over the past 6 to 8 months, staff have evaluated multiple vendors to explore advancements in body-worn and in-car camera technologies. A key reason for this review is the rapid evolution of these systems, both in hardware capabilities and software integration.
In January 2025, staff were notified that Motorola WatchGuard systems would no longer be produced for our in-car cameras. The replacement Motorola system would require a new, incompatible storage solution, adding further complexity to our digital evidence management process.
At the same time, the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office informed our agency of a forthcoming shift to Evidence.com, Axon’s cloud-based platform, for case filings. This transition would allow case-related evidence (photos, videos, reports) to be uploaded and managed within a single digital case file, simplifying the process for both law enforcement and prosecutorial review.
Following a product demonstration and in-depth evaluation, the department selected Axon Fleet 3 as the new in-car camera system due to its capabilities and compatibility with Evidence.com.
Building upon this selection, staff looks to transition to Axon Body 4 as the department’s new body-worn camera solution. Released in summer 2023, the Axon Body 4 offers a range of modern features, including:
- 160-degree field of view
- Four directional microphones for enhanced audio clarity - 13+ hour battery life
- Livestreaming capability
- Seamless integration with Axon’s digital evidence ecosystem - Automatic recording triggers (i.e. call type, gunshot, geofence) - Ability to add features without the need to replace the camera The Axon Body 4 is more than a recording device, it is a comprehensive tool that enhances officer safety, streamlines digital evidence management, and reinforces public trust through transparency.
The Axon Body 4 and Fleet 3 systems are designed to work seamlessly together. When paired, activating a patrol vehicle’s emergency lights automatically triggers both the in-car camera and the body-worn camera to begin recording simultaneously. At the conclusion of the event, all recorded footage is wirelessly uploaded to Evidence.com, Axon’s secure cloud-based platform. The event can then be reviewed with synchronized playback of both in-car and body-worn camera video, providing a comprehensive and integrated view of the incident.
Axon’s integration with our current CAD system offers more robust functionality and improved communication for event tagging of video footage. This enhanced pairing reduces staff time spent correcting misidentified or improperly tagged events, streamlining the review and editing process. The Indio Police Department, which also uses the Axon Body 4 in conjunction with the same CAD system, has demonstrated the efficiency of this integration. After reviewing their implementation, staff observed significant improvements in workflow and data accuracy compared to our current system.
For staff preparing case filings with the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office, the integration of Axon Evidence.com significantly streamlines the submission process when body-worn camera (BWC) or in-car camera footage is involved. Unlike the current system, where a case must be manually created and each piece of evidence uploaded separately, Axon’s platform allows for automatic case generation once video evidence is available.
Officers and records staff can simply upload the incident report and any supporting documents, such as photos, witness statements, or supplemental forms - directly into the existing case file associated with the video. This seamless workflow eliminates redundant data entry, reduces administrative workload, and ensures prosecutors receive all relevant materials in a consolidated, organized manner. The result is a more efficient, timely, and accurate filing process that benefits both the Police Department and the District Attorney’s Office.
Body-worn camera technology has advanced significantly over the last decade. The Axon Body 4 represents the next generation of BWC technology, supporting the department’s commitment to accountability and operational efficiency. Its integration with the Axon ecosystem ensures compatibility with in-car video and staff member workflows, positioning the department for long-term technological expansion and success.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This item is presented for information and discussion.
FIVE-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN:
GOAL E – Safety: Cathedral City is safe for all who live, work, visit, and play in our community.
Action E-3: Expand the use of cameras and other technology to promote public safety.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. AXON Body 4 User Guide