TITLE:
Receive Report and Consider Adoption of City Council Resolution Approving Budget Amendment No. 2023/24-10 and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Contract with Axon Enterprises, Inc. for Body-Worn Camera Video Equipment, TASER 10 Conducted Energy Weapons, Software and Unlimited Storage Services (Amount Not to Exceed $267,329.73 Account No. 167-4215-0381) ISSUE:
The City signed a five-year contract with Axon Enterprises Inc. for body-worn cameras and digital evidence storage in 2022. That contract expires in October 2027. This contract did not include unlimited storage. FBPD has reached the limit of the contract. Axon has offered a comprehensive contract which will supercede the previous contract and provide new equipment, software, and unlimited storage known as the “Officer Safety Plan 10.” 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. This new contract will provide enough body-worn cameras for all authorized field staff, sworn and professional. Additionally, this contract would replace our current Axon body-cams with the new AB4 model, which allows for live viewing should an officer fail to respond to the radio when on a call. This feature allows office staff to live stream the video and provide real time updates to other officers responding. This feature could save a life.
Axon is releasing the new TASER 10, Conducted Energy Weapon. This less-lethal platform has doubled the effective range of its predecessor and introduced an entirely new probe system, giving officers the opportunity to subdue violent offenders from a greater distance. Axon has made a commitment to reduce shootings by police officers by 50% in the next decade. The TASER 10 moves that goal forward, as the increased range allows officers to use a less lethal option when faced with a suspect armed with weapons other than firearms. This contract would provide TASER 10s for all field sworn staff and two CSOs.
When FBPD first implemented a body-cam program, the decision was made to go with a cheaper, limited digital storage solution on Axon Evidence.com. We have already reached and exceeded the contracted strorage limit. The amount of digital evidence is increasing every year. This contract would provide unlimited storage.
Currently, FBPD officers use their issued mobile device to take evidentiary photos and video. These pieces of digital evidence are then uploaded into a local server and cataloged manually. Should that evidence be needed, the evidence technician will copy the digital evidence onto a CD. This is time consuming for officers and the evidence technician. Also, it is increasingly expensive, as we must constantly upgrade our local storage. This Axon contract will provide an enhanced software license which will allow users to take photos though an application on their mobile phones. No data is stored on the device, instead transferring directly to the Evidence.com cloud, and automatically cataloged. This will also allow officers to send members of the public a code to upload their photos and videos directly to Evidence.com. This will save time and money. It also ensures the chain of custody and eliminates the risk of a local corruption of storage which could cause the loss of evidence and prohibit criminal charges.
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 the police department to continue with the current contract until it’s end. Beginning January 1, 2024, the cost of this plan will increase by 12%. Entering into a contract prior to the end of 2023 secures the current prices.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The first year’s payment for the Axon Officer Safety Plan 10 of $54,309.09 was not included in the Police Department’s FY 23/24 budget. To offset the unexpected expenditure, the Police Department is requesting to utilize Asset Forfeiture- General funds for the first year, with subsequent years to be addressed in the next budget review. Additionally, grant funding in the amount of $50,000 from the USDA has been applied for, which may offset this amount. The balance of Asset Forfeiture- General funds was $447,978 at the beginning of the fiscal year.
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. Expanding the body-worn camera and less-lethal weapon 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 Officer Safety Program 10 will take effect in February 2024. The contract renewal ensures uninterrupted service from Axon for five years until December of 2028.
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. XX
AGENCY: City CouncilMEETING DATE: December 11, 2023DEPARTMENT: Police DepartmentPRESENTED BY: Neil CervenkaEMAIL ADDRESS: [email protected]: City CouncilMEETING DATE: December 11, 2023DEPARTMENT: Police DepartmentPRESENTED BY: Neil CervenkaEMAIL ADDRESS: [email protected] AGENCY: City Council
MEETING DATE: December 11, 2023
DEPARTMENT: Police Department
PRESENTED BY: Neil Cervenka
EMAIL ADDRESS: [email protected]
AGENCY: City Council
MEETING DATE: December 11, 2023
DEPARTMENT: Police Department
PRESENTED BY: Neil Cervenka
EMAIL ADDRESS: [email protected]
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY