City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: MARCH 22, 2022 FROM: POLICE DEPARTMENT WARDS: ALL SUBJECT: PURCHASE OF ONE HUNDRED X26P TASERS, ONE HUNDRED TASER BATTERIES, AND ONE HUNDRED TASER HOLSTERS FROM PROFORCE LAW ENFORCEMENT, OF PRESCOTT, ARIZONA, IN THE AMOUNT OF $133,861.47 ISSUE:
Authorize a purchase order for the purchase of 100 X26P Tasers, 100 taser batteries and 100 taser holsters from Proforce Law Enforcement, of Prescott, Arizona, in the amount of $133,861.47.
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council authorize a purchase order for the purchase of 100 X26P Tasers, 100 taser batteries and 100 taser holsters from Proforce Law Enforcement, of Prescott, Arizona, in the amount of $133,861.47.
BACKGROUND:
On February 11, 2014, the City Council awarded Bid No. 7225 to Proforce Law Enforcement, of Prescott, Arizona, in the amount of $76,701, plus tax, for the purchase of 80 X26 Tasers and 350 X26 Taser Cartridges. The intent of the purchase was to equip all uniformed Riverside Police Department officers with a Taser to ensure that less lethal weapons are a readily available option to resolve crisis situations.
RPD has adopted a policy requiring all uniformed officers to carry the taser on the duty belt in an approved holster. The tasers purchased in 2014 were later discontinued by the manufacturer, Axon (formerly Taser International). Axon no longer repairs or replaces these tasers if they are damaged or inoperable. These tasers are at the end of their useful life and must be replaced with a newer model.
DISCUSSION
A taser inventory audit was conducted in late 2021 by the Riverside Police Department (RPD) Training Bureau. During that audit, the RPD identified approximately 100 officers who were using the older X26 Taser model which was discontinued in 2014. As these Tasers age, mechanical and software issues begin to arise. Axon is unable to repair the old X26 Tasers and therefore, the tasers are decommissioned, destroyed, and replaced with the newer model X26P Tasers on a case-by-case basis. A bulk purchase is necessary to ensure officers have immediate access to reliable Tasers for use in the field.
Due to design changes the X26P Taser requires the purchase of new model-specific holsters and batteries, both of which are sold separately. Despite these changes, the X26P Taser functions exactly the same as the older model and will not require additional training. Furthermore, X26P Taser cartridges are interchangeable with the current inventory and will not require an additional purchase.
The RPD is requesting to purchase 100 X26P Tasers, taser batteries, and taser holsters from Proforce Law Enforcement to replace the existing inventory and supply officers with less lethal weapons as an option to resolve crisis situations.
Proforce is a member of the Arizona Department of Administrations, Arizona State Purchasing Cooperative and has provided a quote for the X26P Taser, batteries, and holsters in accordance with Arizona State Contract number CT049168 pricing. Purchasing Resolution 23812, Section 602(f) states that for the Acquisition of Goods, “Competitive procurement through the Informal Procurement and Formal Procurement process shall not be required…When Cooperative Purchasing is available and undertaken or when Goods can be obtained through Federal, State and/or other public entity pricing contracts or price agreements.” The Purchasing Services Manager Concurs that this purchase is in accordance with Purchasing Resolution 23812, Section 602(f).
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This item contributes to Strategic Priority No. 2 - Community Well-Being and Goal No. 2.4 – Support programs and innovations that enhance community safety, encourage neighborhood engagement, and build public trust.
This item aligns with each of the five Cross-Cutting Threads as follows:
Community Trust – Purchasing tasers for Police Officer’s serves the public interest, benefits the City’s diverse populations, and results in greater public good. The Police Department equips its officers with tasers to ensure that less lethal weapons are a readily available option to resolve crisis situations.
Equity – The RPD provides public safety services to all residents in the City of Riverside. Having the option of a readily available, less lethal weapon, helps in the achievement of this goal by ensuring that RPD employees have multiple tools at their disposal to enhance community safety.
Fiscal Responsibility – The RPD is proposing this purchase in accordance with Purchasing Resolution 23812, Sections 602(f). The pricing obtained through the Arizona State Cooperative was confirmed to be competitively bid pricing.
Innovation – In order to meet the community’s changing needs and prepare for the future, RPD assigns their field personnel with tasers and has continued to train and develop methods to deploy and serve the community.
Sustainability & Resiliency – The purpose of purchasing tasers for the officers is to ensure the Department has the tools necessary to provide public safety services in the present and future, while adapting, and growing with the needs of the community.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total fiscal impact of this action is $133,861.47. Sufficient funds are budgeted and available in the Grants and Restricted Programs Fund, Police Asset Forfeiture Program, Special Department Supplies account number 3145401-426800.
Prepared by: Larry Gonzalez, Chief of Police
Certified as to
availability of funds: Edward Enriquez, Chief Financial Officer/City Treasurer Approved by: Lea Deesing, Assistant City Manager
Approved as to form: Phaedra A. Norton, City Attorney
Attachment: ProForce Quote
Proforce Taser Purchase • Page 2