TITLE:
Receive Report and Consider Adoption of City Council Resolution Approving Budget Amendment No. 2022/23-03 and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Contract with AXON Enterprises, Inc. for Body-Worn Camera Video Equipment and Storage Services (Amount Not to Exceed $87,031.29, Account No. 167-4216-0381) ISSUE:
The City of Fort Bragg received a Department of Justice grant in 2017 to deploy body-worn cameras on all patrol officers. The City signed a five-year contract with AXON Enterprises Inc. for body-worn cameras and digital evidence storage. That contract expires in October 2022. A new contract is required to continue the body-worn camera program.
ANALYSIS:
Law enforcement body-worn camera programs are proven to significantly reduce use of force reports and citizen complaints. Incidents during which law enforcement are required to use force represent the greatest civil liability to law enforcement agencies and the City. The California Intergovernmental Risk Authority (CIRA), which represents the City of Fort Bragg, supports the continued use of body-worn cameras by our police officers as a risk management tool. Additionally, the use of body-worn cameras by police officers increases public confidence and transparency.
AXON Enterprises Inc. (“AXON”) currently provides the Police Department’s body-worn cameras and digital evidence storage. AXON is the only identified company that offers both of these services in a comprehensive package, and the Police Department has used their hardware and software for the last five years with no noted issues. Furthermore, the Police Department is very satisfied with AXON services. Continuing to utilize AXON eliminates the need for additional staff hours for re-training, and ensures there will be no disruption of the body-worn camera and digital evidence program.
The AXON Signal program adds a piece of equipment to each Officer and each patrol vehicle. This equipment automatically activates any body-worn camera within a certain range when an Officer draws their firearm from their holster or when they activate their patrol vehicle’s emergency lights. Many critical incidents happen unexpectedly, and the AXON Signal ensures that Officers can focus on responding to the incident while their camera activates itself.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Adopt the Resolution approving the contract and amending the budget to fund the Police Department’s body-worn camera program for the next five years and adding AXON Signal equipment to the program.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Rejecting the Resolution will cause either a temporary or permanent end to the Police Department’s body-worn camera program. If the resolution is rejected, the Police Department will continue seeking other funding sources to maintain the body-worn camera program.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The first year’s payment for the body-worn camera program of $19,077.22 was not included in the Police Department’s FY 22/23 budget. To offset the unexpected expenditure, the Police Department is requesting to utilize Asset Forfeiture funds for the first year, with subsequent years to be addressed in the next budget review.
The Police Department identified a grant opening in December through the Bureau of Justice Assistance. Preliminary correspondence with that grant authority indicated that the City of Fort Bragg is eligible for the grant and that costs associated with the body-worn camera program could be reimbursed back to January 1, 2022. If this grant is awarded to the City, a portion of the funds spent in FY 2021/22 may also be reimbursed.
The AXON Signal program represents a one-time cost of $9,910.03. The Police Department is requesting that this unexpected cost also be funded through Asset Forfeiture. The Police Department has identified $7,000 in grant funds through CIRA that can hopefully be applied to this cost.
GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS IMPACT:
None identified.
CONSISTENCY:
One of the Fort Bragg Police Department’s goals is to continue to increase public confidence while enhancing transparency in how we interact with the public. Continuing the body-worn camera program is consistent with both of these goals.
IMPLEMENTATION/TIMEFRAMES:
Adopting this Resolution will ensure that the current body-worn camera video program continues uninterrupted. The AXON Signal equipment is expected to be installed in all patrol vehicles and on all Officers by the end of 2022. The contract renewal ensures uninterrupted service from AXON for five years until October of 2027.
ATTACHMENTS:
Resolution Approving Budget Amendment and Authorizing Contract Exhibit A - AXON Quote for Services
Exhibit B - AXON Contract: Master Services and Purchasing Agreement between Axon and Agency Exhibit C - Budget Amendment
NOTIFICATION:
Daniel Birt, Axon Enterprise, Inc.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 8E
AGENCY: City CouncilMEETING DATE: October 24, 2022DEPARTMENT: Police DepartmentPRESENTED BY: Neil CervenkaEMAIL ADDRESS: [email protected]: City CouncilMEETING DATE: October 24, 2022DEPARTMENT: Police DepartmentPRESENTED BY: Neil CervenkaEMAIL ADDRESS: [email protected] AGENCY: City Council
MEETING DATE: October 24, 2022
DEPARTMENT: Police Department
PRESENTED BY: Neil Cervenka
EMAIL ADDRESS: [email protected]
AGENCY: City Council
MEETING DATE: October 24, 2022
DEPARTMENT: Police Department
PRESENTED BY: Neil Cervenka
EMAIL ADDRESS: [email protected]
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY