REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
July 31, 2014
FROM: JERRY P. DYER, Chief of Police
Police Department
BY: KEITH L. FOSTER, Deputy Chief of Police
Police Department
SUBJECT
Title
1. RESOLUTION - Authorizing the Chief of Police or designee to specify TASER International, Inc., without substitution, for the purchase of 100 TASER Axon Flex Body-worn video cameras under the sole source competitive bidding exception
2. Award a purchase contract in the amount of $159,732.13 to TASER International, Inc., for the purchase and service of body video cameras to be worn by police officers
Body
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that Council authorize the Chief of Police or designee to specify TASER International, Inc., (TASER) without substitution, for the purchase of 100 TASER Axon Flex body-worn video cameras under the sole source competitive bidding exception without an "or equal" provision in the specifications. It is also recommended that a purchase and service contract of $159,732.13 be awarded to TASER for the purchase and maintenance of the 100 TASER Axon Flex body-worn cameras and related data storage.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Across the country many police encounters are often recorded by citizens with smart phones or other recording devices. On some occasions, those images are distorted or altered. The use and availability of body-worn cameras will provide the "point of view" of an officer and could reduce or minimize organizational litigation.
The Fresno Police Department's Homeless Taskforce, which is comprised of one sergeant, four police officers, two code enforcement specialists and two sanitation staff members currently wear TASER Axon Flex body-worn cameras. The body-worn cameras have proven to be valuable tools to the Homeless Taskforce Team and members of the community.
BACKGROUND
Video technology is being utilized by law enforcement agencies at an increasing pace. The first large scale introduction of video technology for police officers was limited to "in-car" video camera systems. However, the "in car" video systems were limited to the video footage that was captured in the front of the vehicle.
Personal body-worn cameras were eventually introduced as a more realistic tool to capture the true "point of view" of a police officer. In an era of increased public scrutiny and litigation, body-worn camera systems provide video evidence to capture critical incidents and also prove to be invaluable during investigations of complaints against police officers, when independent witnesses are not present.
TASER has patented a body-worn video camera technology system - AXON flex and a secure patented cloud based video storage component called evidence.com. TASER International's trademarked mounting capabilities provide unparalleled options for users to place a video camera on sunglasses, helmets, baseball caps, lapels and uniform epaulettes to provide unobstructed point of views. The variety of mounting options is not available from other manufacturers. TASER has emerged as the leader in body-worn video technology.
The extended battery life provides over 12 hours of video camera operation to accommodate an officer's entire work shift. The battery pack has LED lights to show the battery level and operating mode. The video camera system has a "Bluetooth" pairing component to allow video playback on a mobile device, yet the camera system has an internal security system which prevents users from altering or deleting video footage. The video system contains a buffering protocol to capture 30 seconds of video footage prior to the activation of the recording feature.
The video camera system includes the evidence transfer system which downloads all of the video footage at the completion of a work shift into a secured cloud-based server while also fully charging the battery. The evidence server is a hosted management system which enables police departments and military units to seamlessly manage and share digital evidence. The management system allows an agency to establish password encrypted access levels for line, supervisors and managers. The system has a feature for the Chief of Police to designate one department member to have "executive access" which is the highest authorization level. The chief's designee with the executive access is the only user that can delete video footage that may have captured sensitive or restricted images. The access feature also allows assisting agencies such as courts, district attorneys or federal prosecutors to have "read only" password encrypted access to digital evidence for prosecution.
The purchase contract will cover the entire cost of the cameras, the mounting options, the evidence.com docking and charging terminals, wireless hub, future equipment as needed, the three-year licensing fee, a one-year factory warranty and an additional two-year extended warranty. The warranties will fully cover the cameras and all associated equipment for a total of three years.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
N/A
LOCAL PREFERENCE
This contract would be awarded as a sole source, meaning local preference would not apply since there is a single provider of the specified equipment.
FISCAL IMPACT
The FY/2015 budget for the Fresno Police Department has designated $89,732.13 to be used for the purchase of body-worn video cameras. The remaining $70,000.00 cost of the TASER Axon Flex cameras and associated equipment will be covered by a State Law Enforcement Supplemental Fund Grant.
Attachments: Resolution
Agreement
Sole Source Memorandum
KF:rd
07/08/2014