Westminster City Council
SUBJECT
Title
Title
Agreement for Axon Enterprises Inc. for the Purchase of Body Worn Cameras, Tasers, Dash Cameras, Related Equipment, 10 Years of Storage and Related Services.
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publichearing
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From: Darin Lenyi, Chief of Police
Requested by: Administration
Prepared by: Ron Weber, Deputy Chief
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommendation
A. Approve the Agreement for AXON Enterprise Inc. for the purchase of body worn cameras, Tasers, in-vehicle dash cameras, related video equipment, 10 years of data storage and related services beginning in Fiscal Year 2024-2025 until Fiscal Year 2033-2034 with a 10-year total cost of $5,251,463.32; and
B. Authorize the City Manager or her designee to execute the amended agreement, in a form approved by the City Attorney.
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BACKGROUND
In June 2018, WPD field personnel started a trial period with AXON body worn cameras to be used to capture video of contacts on calls, suspect statements, witness interviews and noteworthy encounters with members of the public during law enforcement activities. The capture of video evidence during police related contacts greatly enhances the department’s capabilities in gathering and preserving the best possible evidence. The video will serve as another layer of transparency and public accountability by providing a more detailed account of events. All Orange County Police Departments and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department utilize camera systems and Tasers. This equipment is common for police departments across the nation.
On January 29, 2019, based on the success of the trial period, the City Council approved an agreement with AXON Enterprise Inc., for the purchase of body worn cameras, related video equipment, five years of data storage and related services. The five-year contract was for $574,460 and included 85 body worn cameras, 14 docking stations, 2 equipment upgrades, unlimited data storage via Evidence.com, CAD/RMS integration and licensing for all users.
Staff is requesting approval of a new agreement under AXON’s new subscription and bundle model for the purchase of body worn cameras, Tasers, in-vehicle dash cameras, related video equipment, 10 years of data storage and related services beginning in Fiscal Year 2024-2025 until Fiscal Year 2033-2034 with a 10-year total cost of $5,251,463.32.
Under the old contract model, due the costs of purchasing Tasers individually, continual maintenance and replacement of old equipment is no longer cost effective. WPD officers are currently using Taser equipment that is several models old. There are no longer enough working Tasers to assign to each officer, and the officers are checking them out prior to going into the field for their shifts and sometimes Tasers are not available, creating a safety concern. With AXON’s new subscription and bundle model, officers can always have updated equipment without worrying about saving for the new model or not being able to replace broken/damaged equipment. Everything, including the cartridges, is included at no extra cost under this proposed contract.
This contract will also include a new in-dash camera system. The in-dash camera system is another step toward being as transparent as possible. Not only will this equipment record the officers while they are driving, it also provides another layer of video on field calls and citizen contacts that happen in or around vehicles. There have been several instances where the in-dash cameras provided the best angles and video of an incident. This will be an additional tool that will keep both officers and the citizens safer and potentially save the City on unwarranted liability. The in-dash camera system is also part of the bundle in this contract. Dash cameras are much more effective capturing valuable footage of many critical incidents, such as police pursuits.
By bundling services through AXON for the period of 10 years under the new contract model, staff will realize a savings of $2,604,454.08, compared to purchasing the equipment.
Sole Source Justification
AXON’s digital evidence storage solution (Evidence.com) has been in use by WPD for video storage since the trial period in June 2018. Most importantly, the Orange County District Attorney (OCDA) also uses Evidence.com, which allows WPD to electronically supply evidence in cases to them in a way that court rules and the laws surrounding evidence are followed. The package bundle includes the body worn cameras, in-dash cameras, equipment, and digital evidence storage solution that provides ease of digital evidence storage. The OCDA qualifies AXON as a sole source vendor.
Evidence.com provides the most comprehensive ecosystem for digital management, currently available. The OCDA currently has an exclusive contract with AXON to allow for back-end access to Evidence.com. The significance of this partnership allows for direct cloud sharing of digital data, most notably regarding body worn camera files. Cloud sharing is an extremely secure and efficient manner with which to share this data. Body worn camera videos generated by AXON competitors, require the files to be “burned” onto hard copy form (i.e. DVDs, CDs or thumb drives) before being physically transported to the OCDA’s office. This method would require additional staff to be hired to fulfill this required function. Cloud sharing of body worn camera footage and other digital data files (i.e. digital audio and photographic files), simplifies the process of providing digital evidence to the OCDA’s office, saving vast amounts of personnel and equipment costs. Additionally, Evidence.com maintains a robust audit system, automatically documenting all access to digital files. The audit log can be produced for court purposes, ensuring the evidence was not tampered with and proper chain of custody procedures were maintained. Currently, there are no other companies able to provide this service and that works with the OCDA.
The proposed contract with AXON Enterprise is designed for a 10-year term that will start on October 1, 2024. The discounted price is valid until June 15, 2024. The purchase will be funded by ARPA and the General Fund unless other sources can be identified. The annual cost over the 10-year contract term is as follows:
• FY2024-2025 $ 1,451,500.00 (ARPA)
• FY2025-2026 $ 422,170.04
• FY2026-2027 $ 422,170.04
• FY2027-2028 $ 422,170.04
• FY2028-2029 $ 422,170.03
• FY2029-2030 $ 422,256.66
• FY2030-2031 $ 422,256.66
• FY2031-2032 $ 422,256.66
• FY2032-2033 $ 422,256.66
• FY2033-2034 $ 422,256.53
The proposed contract includes:
• 125 body worn cameras
• 100 Tasers as well as all needed live and training cartridges
• 40 in-dash cameras
• 3 body worn camera upgrades (upgrades in years 2.5, 5 and 7)
• 1 Taser upgrade (upgrade in year 5)
• 3 in-dash camera upgrades (upgrades in years 2, 5 and 10)
• 16 docking stations
• Unlimited data storage via Evidence.com
• CAD/RMS integration
• Licensing for all users
FISCAL IMPACT
An appropriation of $1,451,500.00 from ARPA account 212308, was allocated for the Fiscal Year 2024-2025. The remaining 9 years of the contract will come from the General Fund Reserves. Future budget appropriations annual amount will go through the normal budget process.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed as to form.
CONCLUSION
Staff recommends the Mayor and City Council approve the 10-year contract with AXON Enterprises Inc. to start in Fiscal Year 2024-2025 and end in Fiscal Year 2033-2034. By bundling services through AXON Enterprise Inc. for 10 years, the City is saving $2,604,454.08, compared to purchasing the equipment.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Agreement with Axon Enterprises, Inc.
2. Axon Enterprises, Inc. Pricing Sheet
REVIEWED BY
Erin Backs, Finance Director
Christian Bettenhausen, City Attorney
Christine Cordon, City Manager