DATE: October 6, 2025
TO: Mayor and Members of the City Council
VIA: Stefan Chatwin, City Manager
FROM: Cory Call, Chief of Police
DEPARTMENT: Police
SUBJECT: FOUR-YEAR CONTRACT WITH AXON ENTERPRISE, INC., IN THE AMOUNT OF $106,192.79 TO PURCHASE NEW IN-
CAR VIDEO CAMERAS AND ALL NECESSARY
HARDWARE, SOFTWARE, LICENSES, AND TECHNICAL
SUPPORT SERVICES; AND APPROPRIATION OF
$21,238.54 FROM THE GENERAL FUND TO ACCOUNT NO.
001-0620-421-4251
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute a four-year agreement with Axon Enterprises, Inc. in the amount of $106,192.79 for the purchase and implementation of eleven Axon Fleet 3 in-car camera systems for all marked patrol vehicles and all necessary hardware, software, licenses, and technical support services; and authorize an appropriation of $21,238.54 from the General Fund to Account No. 001-0620-421-4251 for the first year of payment.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Since 2012, the Foster City Police Department has utilized body-worn camera (BWC) technology to enhance accountability, transparency, and officer safety. In September 2024, the Department upgraded to Axon body-worn cameras, ensuring seamless integration with evidence management and video storage platforms. To further strengthen these efforts, the Department seeks to expand its technology suite by equipping patrol vehicles with Axon Fleet 3 in-car cameras.
Axon, which currently provides the Department’s Body Worn Camera system and conducted energy devices (Tasers) and offers a comprehensive camera solution for public safety agencies, will incorporate this new product under the City’s existing contract to ensure consistency, integration, and operational continuity.
In-car camera systems complement body-worn cameras by capturing additional perspectives, improving evidence collection, and providing an objective record of officer-citizen interactions. Implementation of Axon Fleet 3 will reduce liability, deter complaints, support criminal prosecutions, and increase public trust and transparency through objective video evidence.
BACKGROUND
The Department’s first deployment of body-worn cameras in 2012 marked a significant step toward transparency and accountability. These devices have proven invaluable in documenting encounters, resolving complaints, and enhancing officer training.
With the 2024 transition to Axon body-worn cameras, the Department now benefits from advanced integration and cloud-based evidence management. However, patrol vehicles, where many enforcement actions, traffic stops, and critical incidents originate, remain without video recording capabilities. In-car camera systems have become industry standard, providing a vital perspective that complements body- worn video and enhances investigative outcomes.
The purchase of the Axon Fleet 3 in-car camera system complies with the City’s purchasing policy under the sole source procurement provision (Foster City Municipal Code 3.04.110(B)) as staff believes that this is a commodity that can be obtained from only one vendor. Axon Fleet 3 system is fully compatible with our existing equipment and integrates seamlessly with the Evidence.com platform already in use. Due to this established relationship, product compatibility, and the need for system-wide consistency, soliciting outside bids was not required.
ANALYSIS
The benefits of Axon Fleet 3 In-Car Cameras include:
Enhanced Evidence Collection: In-car cameras provide wide-angle, high-quality video of traffic stops, pursuits, and roadside interactions. This evidence is critical for investigations, DUI cases, and court proceedings. Reduced Liability & Complaints: The presence of in-car video serves as a deterrent to misconduct claims and complaints, offering an impartial record to quickly resolve disputes.
Improved Officer Safety & Training: Supervisors can review incidents to identify safety concerns, improve tactics, and strengthen training programs. Enhancing safety, improving evidence collection, and providing crucial data for training and accountability, while also helping cities by increasing public trust and transparency through objective video evidence, deterring crime, and reducing liability. Seamless Integration with our current Axon system: The Axon Fleet 3 system integrates directly with existing Axon body-worn cameras and Evidence.com, streamlining storage, retrieval, and case sharing.
Support for Crime Reduction: High-quality video assists in suspect identification, corroborates witness statements, and supplies District Attorneys with more robust evidentiary material. This directly strengthens crime deterrence efforts, improves case clearance rates, and supports successful prosecution.
Community Trust & Transparency: Public confidence is strengthened when objective video evidence is available to verify the integrity of officer actions.
California Environmental Quality Act
The purchase and installation of in-car camera systems is not considered a “project” under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as it does not have the potential to cause a physical change in the environment. Therefore, no CEQA review is required.
FISCAL IMPACT
The total cost of the 11 Axon Fleet 3 in-car camera system is $106,192.79. The payment structure involves $21,238.54 in the first year and $28,318.08 per year in years two through four. The cost of the contract will be funded through the budget line item 001-0620-421-4251. This agreement will be co-termed with the Department’s current Body Worn Camera contract, aligning both products under a single contract cycle. The total cost of implementing the eleven (11) Axon Fleet 3 in- car camera systems, incorporated into the Department’s existing Axon Body Worn Camera/Taser contract ($315,457.92), is $421,650.71. As a result, the in-car camera system contract will conclude concurrently with the existing Body Worn Camera contract in forty-five
(45) months, at which time the City may evaluate renewal options.
For the remaining three years, the Police Department will be requesting necessary funding from the General Fund into Account No. 001-0620-421-4251. The total amount
$84,954.25 for years 2-4 is broken down as follows:
Year 2 /August 2025 - $28,318.08
Year 3 /August 2026 - $28,318.08
Year 4 /August 2027 - $28,318.09
The purchase will be made through Axon, a sole source vendor to law enforcement agencies. The total cost breakdown will be:
11 In-Car Cameras $72,029.10
Wiring & Evidence.com Services $ 4,801.00
ALPR License Bundles $26,392.30
Estimated Tax $ 2,970.39
Total $106,192.79
The investment will result in long-term savings by reducing liability claims, streamlining evidence management, and supporting efficient resolution of complaints. Additionally, leveraging Axon’s bundled services alongside body-worn camera contracts ensures cost effectiveness and interoperability.
It's crucial to emphasize that although the contract specifies the provision of 11 In Car Camera Systems, Axon is dedicated to replacing all 11 cameras in the final year of the contract, providing the opportunity to transition smoothly beyond the contract period with these cameras. Additionally, this proactive approach may help mitigate the expenses associated with a potential future contract with Axon.
CITY COUNCIL VISION, MISSION, AND VALUE/PRIORITY AREA
Public Safety and Social Equity
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1 – Resolution
Attachment 2 – Axon Enterprise, Inc. Quote/Agreement