CONSENT CALENDAR
City of San Bernardino
Request for Council Action
Date: May 6, 2026
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
From: Darren Goodman, Chief of Police
Department: Police
Subject: Authorize a Professional Services Agreement with Axon Enterprise Incorporated in an Amount Not to Exceed
$4,150,000, for a Five-Year Period Beginning May 1, 2026, Through June 30, 2031, (All Wards)
Recommendation:
It is recommended that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino, California:
1. Authorize the City Manager to execute a Professional Services Agreement with Axon Enterprise Incorporated for an amount not to exceed $4,150,000, with a term beginning May 1, 2026, through June 30, 2031; and
2. Authorize the Director of Finance and Management Services to issue a purchase order to Axon Enterprise Incorporated for $767,860.50.
City Manager's Comments
The City Manager recommends approval.
Executive Summary
Since 2017, the city has maintained numerous agreements with Axon for body-worn cameras, tasers, evidence retention, and most recently Fusus real-time awareness software. The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors recently provided funding to the city for a Drone First Responder Program (DFR). Skydio by Axon can provide a complete DFR platform, capable of integrating with existing Real Time Information Center software. The Police Department recommends consolidating this agreement with the existing Axon agreement into a single five-year contract which will include additional body-worn camera licenses as department staffing increases and Skydio DFR to support the RTIC. There is no impact to the General Fund as the cost is funded through existing allocations, the County’s contribution, and COPS FY24/25 funding.
Background
The City has contracted with Axon (formerly Taser International) since 2017 to provide the Police Department with body-worn cameras (BWC), Taser Conducted Energy Devices (CED), and cloud-based evidence storage. Over the years, the City has executed multiple agreements and amendments with Axon to purchase updated hardware and continue using their services, with the most recent agreement executed September 21, 2022, for a five-year term. Since then, the Department has grown in size, requiring additional BWCs and evidence licenses to accommodate staff.
On May 21, 2025, the City accepted the FY24/25 Citizens’ Options for Public Safety (COPS) funds in the amount of $678,501.23, in part to purchase equipment to support the Real Time Information Center (RTIC).
On June 4, 2025, the City adopted Resolution No 2025-303 accepting $562,500 in funding from San Bernardino County to use toward 75% of the purchase of Unmanned Aerial Systems and equipment for a Drone First Responder Program (DFR).
Skydio by Axon provides a DFR platform that fully integrates with existing department infrastructure, namely Fusus, giving RTIC staff the ability to safely operate drones and operations staff the ability to view the footage in real time while responding to calls for service.
Axon recently introduced automated license plate readers as part of their product offerings. The Department recently concluded a one-year agreement with a previous ALPR vendor, is in need of replacing the ALPR cameras throughout the city as they are a vital law enforcement tool. By incorporating Axon Outpost ALPRs in this agreement to replace the previous ALPRs, the Department can leverage complete integration of these cameras in the Fusus environment, streamlining the RTIC workflow.
The Department has determined that bundling the Skydio DFR and Outpost ALPR purchase with the existing BWC/license expansion agreement into a single five-year agreement will provide a savings of over $800,000 when compared to the cost of purchasing each service individually.
Discussion
Since 2017, officers have used Axon body worn cameras (BWCs) to record law enforcement encounters during calls for service, traffic stops, arrests, and other enforcement actions. The cameras are activated during incidents to capture audio and video evidence in real time. Once recorded, the footage is automatically uploaded into a secure digital evidence management system where it can be reviewed, categorized, and shared for investigations, prosecution, training, and public records requests.
Each BWC requires its own individual software license to operate within the digital evidence platform. The license allows the device to upload, store, and manage video evidence within the system. Because the footage becomes digital evidence, personnel who do not wear cameras—such as detectives, records staff, crime analysts, dispatchers, administrators —must also have evidence management licenses to review, redact, and share recordings as part of investigations and case preparation.
Body worn cameras improve transparency and accountability during police interactions, help document evidence accurately, and help reduce or mitigate complaints by providing an objective record of incidents. The police department was an early adopter of Axon Enterprises’ BWCs, evidence management system, and tasers. Throughout the years, Axon has proven themselves to be a reliable vendor with trusted data-retention policies and strong support after the sale.
As the Police Department fills vacancies, licensing requirements increase not only for the cameras themselves but also for the personnel who must access and manage the resulting digital evidence. Ensuring adequate licensing is necessary to maintain compliance, properly manage evidence, and support the operational effectiveness.
This agreement expands the BWC/licensing for the department from the current 300 licenses to a final BWC/license count of 328 in year five via incremental increases each year to account for future staffing numbers. Aging cameras will be replaced on a scheduled cycle, and new cameras can be supplied as requested by staff. Additionally, this agreement includes the purchase and installation of an in-vehicle camera system to be placed in the Department’s jail transport van.
At the end of 2024, the Department invested in Fusus by Axon – a video aggregator primarily utilized by RTIC operators and dispatch staff to monitor camera feeds in real- time. On May 21, 2025, Mayor and City Council approved the allocation of FY24/25 COPS funds for RTIC equipment purchases and at the June 4, 2025, Mayor and City Council meeting, the City accepted $562,500 in funding from San Bernardino County to use toward the purchase of Unmanned Aerial Systems and equipment for a Drone First Responder Program (DFR).
Although the Police Department possesses a small fleet of drones, these are consumer grade drones that do not fully integrate within the Fusus platform - their footage can be viewed, but the drone location is not shown and they must be controlled by a pilot with line of sight of the aircraft. Skydio by Axon provides a fully integrated DFR solution for our city’s needs. Skydio drones fully integrate with Fusus, allowing real-time video feeds, live drone coordinates and the ability to control the drone from within the RTIC.
The Department’s Drone as a First Responder (DFR) program would deploy unmanned aircraft from the roof of the station to respond to calls for service before officers arrive. When a priority call is received, RTIC personnel launch a drone remotely from the docking station. The drone provides live video to responding officers and dispatch personnel, allowing them to assess conditions in real time and determine the safest and most effective response. Overall, a DFR program enhances public safety by improving decision-making, reducing response times, and providing officers with better information before they arrive at a scene.
Finally, Axon Outpost ALPR cameras will be included in this agreement to replace ALPR cameras installed by previous vendors. ALPR technology enhances law enforcement capabilities by allowing officers to quickly identify vehicles associated with crimes, stolen vehicles, or wanted persons. The system captures license plate images and compares them against law enforcement databases, generating alerts when a match is identified. The system integrates with Fusus allowing license plate data and related information to be stored and searched as part of criminal investigations. This integration improves investigative efficiency by providing officers and detectives with timely information that can assist in locating suspects and identifying vehicles connected to criminal activity or missing/wanted persons. Data obtained by Outpost ALPR cameras will only be maintained in compliance with Department Lexipol Policy 463, California Civil Code 1798.90.5, and California Values Act (SB54).
Axon is the only vendor that offers this comprehensive package of body-worn cameras, tasers, evidence storage, Fusus, DFR, and ALPR technology in a platform that fully and seamlessly integrates with the Department’s existing systems. This unique capability is the key factor supporting the Department’s sole source justification for selecting Axon. The department is seeking to establish a new five-year agreement with Axon, superseding the existing agreement to add additional BWC and evidence licenses to account for department growth moving forward. In addition, this agreement will include the DFR program roll-out and replace existing ALPR cameras with Outpost ALPR cameras. The term is from May 1, 2026 through June 30, 2031 for the amount of $4,117,427.35, however, a nominal contingency is being requested, bringing the total not to exceed amount to $4,150,000.
2021-2025 Strategic Targets and Goals
Entering into a five-year agreement with Axon, combining and enhancing Department capabilities aligns with Key Target 2b (Evaluate operations and performance, investment in resources, technology, and to continually improve organizational efficiency and effectiveness); 2c (Re-establish City as the Regional Leader); and 3c (Constantly evaluate and enhance the quality of public safety service).
Fiscal Impact
There is no direct impact to the General Fund. There are sufficient funds allocated in the FY25/26 adopted budget, FY24/25 Citizens’ Option for Public Safety Funds, and through the use of funds awarded by the County of San Bernardino for a DFR program to complete this purchase.
Conclusion
It is recommended that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino, California:
1. Authorize the City Manager to execute a Professional Services Agreement with Axon Enterprise Incorporated for an amount not to exceed $4,150,000, with a term beginning May 1, 2026, through June 30, 2031; and
2. Authorize the Director of Finance and Management Services to issue a purchase order to Axon Enterprise Incorporated for $767,860.50.
Attachments
Attachment 1 Exempt Purchase Justification AEI
Attachment 2 Professional Services Agreement – Axon Enterprises Ward:
All Wards
Synopsis of Previous Council Actions:
June 4, 2025 The Mayor and City Council adopted Resolution No. 2025- 303 authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract with San Bernardino County for the acceptance of funds for the Drone First Responder Program.
May 21, 2025 The Mayor and City Council adopted Resolution No. 2025- 296 authorizing the acceptance of Citizens’ Option for Public Safety Funds.
November 20, 2024 The Mayor and City Council adopted Resolution No. 2024- 227 accepting the FY 2024 COPS Technology and Equipment Funds.
September 21, 2022 The Mayor and City Council adopted Resolution No. 2022- 199 authorizing the City Manager to execute an agreement with Axon.
June 17, 2020 The Mayor and City Council adopted Resolution No. 2020- 129 authorizing the City Manager to execute an agreement with Axon.
December 6, 2017 The Mayor and City Council adopted Resolution No. 2017- 232 authorizing the City Manager to execute an agreement with Axon.
February 21, 2017 The Mayor and City Council adopted Resolution No. 2017- 020 authorizing the City Manager to execute an agreement with Taser International, Inc.
CC: Eric Levitt, City Manager