CITY OF PACIFICA
COUNCIL AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT
9/11/2023
1 SUBJECT:
Approval of Agreement with Axon Enterprise Inc., for the purchase of new Axon Body Worn Camera System, Axon Fleet In-Car Camera System, and Axon Tasers in the amount of $593,000, and authorize the City Manager or Designee to Execute All Documents Associated with the Project.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Adopt the Resolution Approving the Agreement with Axon Enterprise Inc., for the purchase of new Axon Body Worn Camera System, Axon Fleet In-Car Camera System, and Axon Tasers in the amount of $593,000, and authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all documents associated with the project.
STAFF CONTACT:
Bill Glasgo, Police Captain
650-738-7314
[email protected]
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION:
The utilization of body worn cameras, in-car cameras and Tasers has become an industry standard in law enforcement’s ability to promote public safety, while providing the utmost transparency. The Pacifica Police Department (PPD) has been utilizing these systems for many years and is in the process of updating and upgrading these systems, some of which are expiring or have reached the end of their service life and need replacement.
Staff consulted with our neighboring agencies to identify the most current technology related to body worn cameras and digital in-car camera systems. Most of these agencies entered into agreements with Axon Enterprise Inc. Staff examined and reviewed these systems, attended several trade show demonstrations with various vendors, obtained feedback from our officers and compared Axon products to current platforms. Staff was impressed with the Axon products.
Axon is currently the leading supplier of body worn cameras, in car camera systems and Tasers for police agencies in San Mateo County.
There are several benefits to Axon systems. For example, Axon works with our current Records Management System (RIMS) by Sun Ridge Systems, and will integrate digital video with our current Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) System. This integration will significantly reduce staff time needed to organize digital video files and evidence. There is no such integration available with the Department’s current body worn and in-car camera systems.
Axon technology also has the ability to integrate multiple automated camera activations through a variety of platforms to include the Taser. This integration does not exist with our current body worn cameras and in-car camera systems. The Axon cameras can be further automated to activate cameras by various vehicle applications to include activating the emergency lights, sirens, opening of doors, and at designated vehicle speeds. The in-car cameras also have the ability to activate other officer’s cameras within a designated radius. For example, if an officer is Pacifica City Council 2
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ambushed and does not have the time to manually activate their camera, when the responding cover officer arrives, the first officer’s camera will be automatically activated.
Axon specializes in law enforcement technology. Unlike many other companies who are repurposing civilian products for law enforcement use, Axon’s products are designed to work in collaboration, and to be easily activated and used by the officer in the field. PPD’s current body worn cameras, in-car cameras and Tasers do not have this capability to operate collaboratively.
After the video evidence is captured, Axon has created a digital workflow that is user friendly and efficient, which will allow the officers to process and organize their digital video evidence quickly and accurately. PPD’s current platforms require officers to manually log digital evidence captured by body worn cameras and in-car cameras.
The Axon suite of products creates an environment for our officers to capture critical evidence in a seamless and efficient way without unnecessary administrative delays. Axon’s digital workflow is user friendly and designed to get officers quickly back on the streets and in service.
Axon has created a far superior product when compared to other companies, that is uniquely able to meet a number of PPD needs.
The San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office utilizes Axon’s evidence.com as the platform to submit all digital evidence to their office. This platform holds all evidence recorded by the Axon suite of cameras. Officers can also upload third party digital evidence into this system, such as digital photographs or video surveillance. Axon has created a one-stop shop for the management of digital evidence though evidence.com. By purchasing Axon, we will be streamlining the handling of all digital evidence, increasing efficiency by reducing staff workload in processing and organizing digital evidence. From the capturing of this initial data to the submittal of the case file to the district attorney's office, all data will be housed on the same evidence servers. This platform is specifically designed by Axon to maintain strict chain of custody, adhere to laws of evidence, and to efficiently respond to discovery requests by defense council. PPD can also more efficiently share digital evidence with neighboring jurisdictions during incidents involving mutual aid.
By upgrading our current systems to Axon body worn cameras, in-car cameras and Tasers, PPD will increase the safety of our community and officers, maximize efficiency, and increase transparency aligned with community and civic leader expectations.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION:
Decline to approve Agreement and provide further direction to staff.
RELATION TO CITY COUNCIL STRATEGIC PLAN:
Approval of the recommendation relates to the emphasis on safety in the City’s Mission Statement, the Values of being “Transparent and Responsive,” and the Goal to “Enhance organizational and fiscal stability.”
FISCAL IMPACT:
Approval of the Agreement and purchase of camera systems will result in a $593,000 expenditure over a 5-year period at approximately $118,600 per year. The FY 2023-24 budget approved by the City Council includes this amount in the Police Department for this project, with subsequent year’s budgets anticipated to continue to include this amount in the base budget.
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ORIGINATED BY:
Police
ATTACHMENT LIST:
Attachment A: Axon Project Agreement (PDF)
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RESOLUTION NO. _________
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PACIFICA APPROVING THE MULTI-YEAR AGREEMENT BETWEEN AXON ENTERPRISE INC., AND THE CITY OF
PACIFICA FOR THE PURCHASE AND USE OF AXON BODY WORN CAMERAS, AXON FLEET IN-CAR CAMERAS, AXON TASERS AND EVIDENE.COM DIGITAL EVIDENCE
MANAGEMENT
______________________________________________________
WHEREAS, the Pacifica Police Department have been using body worn cameras since 2017;
WHEREAS, the Pacifica Police Department would like to enter into a five-year contract with Axon Enterprise Inc., for the purchase and use of a new body worn camera system.
WHEREAS, the Pacifica Police Department would like to enter into a five-year contract with Axon Enterprise Inc, for the purchase and use of a new in-car camera system; WHEREAS, the Pacifica Police Department would like to enter into a five-year contract with Axon Enterprise Inc, for the purchase and use of updated department issued Tasers; WHEREAS, the current body worn cameras, in-car cameras, and Tasers are at the end of their useful life;
WHEREAS, the City Council approved the 2023/2024 budget to include an additional allocation of $100,000 in the Police Department budget to help fund the costs of this project; RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Pacifica, California, that the City Manager of the City of Pacifica is authorized to execute on behalf of the City of Pacifica the attached Axon agreement in the amount of $593,000 ($118,600/year for 5 years) hereto as Exhibit A, including attachments in relation thereto;
• • • • •
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Pacifica, California, held on the 11th day of September 2023, by the following vote:
AYES, Councilmembers:
NOES, Councilmembers:
ABSENT, Councilmembers:
ABSTAIN, Councilmembers:
_________________________________
Tygarjas Twyrls Bigstyck, Mayor
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
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______________________________ _________________________________ Sarah Coffey, City Clerk Michelle Kenyon, City Attorney