cover
TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Sgt. William Rowley
DATE: May 7, 2019
SUBJECT:
Resolution to purchase a Hostage/Crisis Negotiator Communications system to be used during critical incidents by Aurora Police Department Special Response Team Hostage/Crisis Negotiators.
PURPOSE:
To request authorization from the Aurora City Council to purchase a Hostage/Crisis Negotiator Communications system to be used during critical incidents by Aurora Police Department Special Response Team Hostage/Crisis Negotiators.
BACKGROUND:
The Aurora Police Department for many years has been utilizing an antiquated Hostage/Crisis Negotiator Communication system (commonly known as a “throw phone”). The purpose of this system is to allow negotiators to safely communicate with hostage takers, barricaded subjects, and for use in other high-risk situations where face-to-face contact is either unsafe or impractical.
The current throw phone system does not adequately provide real-time recording capabilities which are required by law for the collection and maintenance of evidence in hostage or crisis incidents. Further, the current system does not facilitate communication between the hostage/crisis negotiator team and tactical command operators; this is a necessary and vital function provided by current throw phone systems. Finally, the vast majority of recent hostage/crisis incidents involve the use of cellular phones. However, the current throw phone system does not provide a reasonable conduit into hostage/crisis incidents which involve the use of mobile phones, including text messaging and the use of various social media platforms..
DISCUSSION:
The Aurora Police Department Special Response Team is charged with the safe resolution of high-risk incidents which often involve an imminent threat of death or great bodily harm to others. The use of hostage/crisis negotiators is vital to the mission of the Special Response Team and the Police Department, in that their use is specifically designed to bring about this safe resolution through direct communication, often with a violent offender.
Having appropriate communication equipment helps to achieve this mission in the following ways: First, this equipment allows for swift deployment and connection with an offender or victim(s) so that communications may begin early, significantly reducing the chances of further violence. Second, proper communication equipment can assist in obtaining salient intelligence information and directing that intelligence to Special Response Team Command Operators in a timely fashion so that action if required, can be taken quickly and safely. Third, activities of the police officers, victims, and offenders can be recorded and maintained as evidence of the incident; this is a legal requirement which must be followed by the Aurora Police Department.
After considerable research, a hostage/crisis negotiator communication system was located which fits the needs of the Special Response Negotiator Team. This proprietary system is a “plug-and-play” negotiator communication system which is only made available to military, federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies and is not sold through any third party vendor. The cost for this system, which includes all software updates and annual training for the lifetime of the equipment, has been bid not to exceed $30,000.00.
This vendor has no outstanding debt with the City of Aurora.
A sole source letter from the vendor, 836 Technologies, is attached.
A purchase quote was presented by 836 Technologies in the amount of $28,084.00, and is attached.
I am requesting an exception to the competitive bidding requirements as allowed in section 2-335(a)(3) of the Aurora Municipal Code. A signed affidavit with these details has been made part of this request.
Due to this being a sole source provider, this purchase was not bid and therefore local preference does not apply.
A decision package for $30,000.00 was approved for the purchase of this communication system for 2019. These funds are available in account 255-3536-421.61-40.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
If this project is not approved it will have a detrimental impact on the ability of the Aurora Police Department Special Response Team's ability to safely and effectively negotiate with crisis/barricaded subjects, and will prevent the Aurora Police Department from meeting specific legal requirements regarding the collection and maintenance of evidence in critical incidents.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
I am recommending that the City Council authorize the release of funds to purchase this Hostage/Crisis communication system to be used by the Aurora Police Department Special Response Team Crisis/Hostage Negotiators.
cc: Alderman O’Connor, Chairman
Alderman Mervine
Alderman Bugg
Alderman Mesiacos
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
title
A Resolution for the purchase a Hostage/Crisis communication system from 836 Technologies to be used by the Aurora Police Department Special Response Team Crisis/Hostage Negotiators.
body
WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, The Aurora Police Department Special Response Team is charged with the safe resolution of high-risk incidents which often involve an imminent threat of death or great bodily harm to others; and
WHEREAS, The Aurora Police Department for many years has been utilizing an antiquated Hostage/Crisis Negotiator Communication system (commonly known as a “throw phone”). The purpose of this system is to allow negotiators to communicate with hostage takers or barricaded subjects safely, and for use in other high-risk situations where face-to-face contact is either unsafe or impractical; and
WHEREAS, The Aurora Police Department is seeking to obtain a hostage/crisis negotiator communication system which fits the needs of the Special Response Negotiator Team; and
WHEREAS, It is imperative the Aurora Police Department obtain a hostage/crisis negotiator communication system which allows it to meet its legal obligations for the collection and maintenance of necessary evidence during a hostage/crisis incident; and
WHEREAS, exception to the competitive bidding requirements as allowed in section 2-335(a)(3) of the Aurora Municipal Code; and
WHEREAS, Funding of $30,000 is available for this purchase in account 255-3536-421.61-40.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: It is the desire of the Department to purchase a Hostage/Crisis communication system to be used by the Aurora Police Department Special Response Team Crisis/Hostage Negotiators from 836 Technologies.