May 19, 2026
Police Department
DATE: May 19, 2026
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Tim Simmons, Chief of Police
Subject:
Contract with Verizon Connect for Police Vehicle GPS
Service
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The proposed three-year contract, in an amount not to exceed $150,000, is structured at $50,000 per fiscal year for the period of July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2029.
Funding is included within the proposed fiscal year 2026– 2027 Police Department budget and will be budgeted
accordingly in subsequent fiscal year budgets (Account
String: 01191021-400209).
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
October 19, 2021
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
The Police Department is requesting City Council
approval to contract with Verizon Connect for monthly
GPS monitoring that provides location services, vehicle emission standards, and maintenance service alerts for
the City of Richmond police fleet.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
APPROVE a contract with Verizon Connect for monthly
GPS tracking and management in an amount not to
exceed $150,000 over a three-year term from July 1,
2026, to June 30, 2029, plus two one-year extension
options not to exceed $50,000 per year – Police
Department (Chief Timothy Simmons 510-621-1802).
AGENDA
REPORT
May 19, 2026
DISCUSSION:
In 2009, Richmond Police Department (RPD) purchased a global positioning system (GPS) unit from Verizon Connect (formerly Networkfleet) to be installed in City of Richmond police vehicles. Verizon Connect provides online vehicle location services, vehicle diagnostics, vehicle speeds, vehicle emissions monitoring, and reporting capabilities.
Verizon Connect is the manufacturer and only service provider that is compatible with the hardware currently installed on City of Richmond vehicles.
Based on the approved Sole Source Form with attachments, RPD IT staff recommend that the City of Richmond contract with Verizon Connect for ongoing GPS maintenance and monitoring (Attachment 1). The GPS system provided by Verizon Connect is a critical operational tool that supports officer safety, field supervision, and efficient deployment of police resources. Dispatchers and supervisors rely on real-time vehicle location data to coordinate responses, monitor activity, and ensure officer accountability.
In emergency situations, GPS tracking allows for rapid identification of officer location, improving response times and enhancing overall safety. The system also supports fleet management through diagnostic reporting, which assists in maintaining vehicle readiness and reducing long-term maintenance costs.
Due to the proprietary nature of the existing hardware, transitioning to another vendor would require removal and replacement of all GPS units across the police fleet. This would result in significant additional costs, operational disruption, and potential temporary loss of tracking capabilities. Maintaining the current system through a sole source agreement ensures continuity of service without interruption.
If this agreement is not approved, it would result in the loss of GPS monitoring capabilities, negatively impacting officer safety, operational efficiency, and the Department’s ability to effectively manage its fleet. The proposed agreement with Verizon Connect will be funded through the Police Department’s existing budget allocation for fleet and technology services.
The cost of replacing the current GPS system with a different vendor would be significantly higher due to the need to purchase and install new hardware in all police vehicles. Approval of this agreement represents the most cost-effective option for maintaining current service levels.
RPD staff recommend that the City Council approve a sole source agreement with Verizon Connect for continued GPS monitoring, maintenance, and fleet management services to ensure uninterrupted support of critical public safety operations (Attachment 2).
May 19, 2026
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Approved Sole Source
Attachment 2 – Original Contract