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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Matt Thomas, Support Services Commander
Martin S. Lyons, Chief Financial Officer/City Treasurer
Michael Pegues, Chief Information Officer
DATE: June 21, 2021
SUBJECT:
A Resolution authorizing the purchase and installation of 150 fleet dash camera systems not to exceed $1,684,800.00 and the purchase of 150 Taser 7 Conducted Energy Weapons not to exceed $313,350 from Axon Enterprise, Inc., Scottsdale, AZ.
PURPOSE:
The Police Department requests the City Council authorize the purchase of a fleet dash camera system and Taser 7 equipment which will integrate with the Axon 3 body worn camera system and update our current equipment which is beyond the service life.
BACKGROUND:
On October 27th, 2020 resolution R20-0249 was approved by the City Council for the purchase of body-worn cameras and the supporting software for officers at the Police Department in the amount of $2,150,920.00. The body-worn camera resolution was a voluntary response to community discussions about increasing transparency in police enforcement. At the time of the resolution there was not a state mandate requiring all law enforcement officers to wear a body-worn camera. However on February 22nd, 2021 Governor Pritzker signed the Bill, now known as the "Safe-T-Act" into law. The Safe-T-Act mandates all police departments must implement body-worn cameras for all officers.
On June 15th, 2021 the Committee of the Whole move forward the authorization to purchase additional cameras to satisfy the new state mandate and the supporting software in the amount of $2,828,107.00. In the initial Resolution R20-0249 it was mentioned that our current fleet dash camera system was beyond the service life and would present many integration challenges once we deployed our body-worn camera system. Consistent with the initial discussion highlighted in R20-249 and in response to the recommendations made at the Committee of the Whole meeting on June 15th, 2021, an executive summary was drafted outlining the cost to replace 150 vehicles in our fleet with a fully integrated dash camera system which meets our operational requirements.
In addition to the fleet dash camera system a future need was identified to increase our Taser inventory. Tasers have proven to be the most effective less-lethal use of force option available to the Aurora Police Department and Axon remains the only proprietary manufacturer of the Taser Conducted Energy Weapon. Our Training Division did an initial needs assessment and determined we would benefit from increasing our inventory to 50 Tasers. After speaking with different division heads it appears we would see a greater operational and financial return on our investment if we increased our inventory to 150 Tasers. The newest Taser available is the Taser 7 and it is fully integrated with Axon BWC and Evidence.com software. There were a number of reporting mandates included in the Safe-T-Act and one of those is a monthly use of force report to both the State and Federal government as stated in 50 ILCS 709 5/11 and 12. The use of Tasers as a means of force could fall under that reporting mandate. The Taser 7 will automatically generate the mandated usage report for complete transparency and accountability.
DISCUSSION:
The Axon Fleet 3 camera system has been demoed by the Police Department as a replacement for our current system of in-squad cameras, which is beyond the service life and support. The Axon Fleet 3 dash is the only fully integrated dash camera system for the approved Axon BWC system and Evidence.com software. This provides a significant cost savings opportunity for the purchase of the dash cameras as well as an overall reduction in operating expenses for video evidence management. Axon offers a significant product "bundle" savings if the dash cameras are purchased at the time the BWC contract is negotiated. The Axon Fleet 3 uploads video via LTE cellular signal from anywhere in the city, as opposed to our current system where video uploads can only be completed at the station. Our current operating cost for the digital evidence download and management process is roughly 8,000 labor hours and $8,000 a year. The Evidence.com software and LTE upload capability would significantly reduce that expense, while providing more public safety coverage in the community as officers spend less time downloading evidence and more time on the street.
The Axon Fleet 3 features a forward-facing camera and interior camera. The officer’s BWC is the microphone for the front camera, and the interior camera has a built-in microphone. The main expense for the current dash camera system is the microphone repair and replacement. This expense would be eliminated with the authorization of the Fleet 3 system. The video quality is significantly clearer than our current system and provides a wider field of view. An easy-to-use app on the officer’s computer is used to interface with the camera and view footage, and it can also be paired with the officer’s BWC for the same uses. This removes the need for the current viewscreen which is large enough to obstruct officers’ view when driving and still small enough to be difficult to manipulate and view. Like our current cameras, this new camera system can be set to activate upon certain conditions such as the activation of emergency lights or surpassing a preset speed, and it allows the retrieval of video within 24 hours of an incident even if the camera was not recording.
Much of the same software that is used in BWC's is included in this package as well, such as the ability to live stream video, auto-tag videos based on dispatch information, and utilize artificial intelligence to assist with the redaction of videos. According to our research and the Department of Justice's Guide to implementing a body worn camera program, the auto-tagging feature is a vital component to the success of the Department's program. Finally, the Axon Fleet 3 includes an optional Automated License Plate Reader software. The Automated License Plate Reader, or ALPR, automatically reads license plates and provides real time audible and visible alerts to officers for vehicles that are listed as stolen or listed in a particular public notification system, such as an Amber alert or a Silver alert for missing endangered individuals. Currently, officers must manually run license plates through the state database by typing it into their computer or requesting it from dispatchers. The ALPR system automatically does this, allowing officers to concentrate on driving safely. The ALPR system also reads all plates and does not discriminate based on gender, race, or economic status. The COA currently has this ALPR software with parking enforcement.
The second bundle cost savings opportunity at the time the BWC contract is negotiated is to increase and update our Taser inventory. Our current equipment is nearly half-way through its five year service life. Over ten years ago we began the Taser program and our inventory has remained the same at 26 Tasers. Since that time our staffing levels have increased and so too has the interest from officers wishing to carry a Taser as a less-lethal option. We have approximately 100 officers who are certified to carry a Taser, so they have to share from a pool of 26. As global policing tactics have evolved and focused more on less-lethal force options, voluntary compliance strategies and de-escalation techniques, our department too has evolved. In order to align with the change initiative in policing we identified an area for improvement by significantly increasing our inventory of the most effective less-lethal option available to us, the Taser Conducted Energy Weapon.
After demoing the Taser 7, we learned the current technology of the Taser 7 has conceptually aligned with our voluntary compliance-based policing philosophy as well. The Taser 7 has a new de-escalation feature which has produced an 85% compliance rate when used with verbal commands. The warning arc feature displays a visible and audible warning upon arming. Additionally there are several improvements to the accuracy and effectiveness of the Taser, which improves overall safety and operability. There is a brighter flashlight which emits 200 lumens. This was added to increase visibility and provide a greater tactical advantage. The conductive wire is now spooled within the body of the probe which reduces the amount of excess wiring for safer apprehension. There is dual laser technology for more precise deployment. The cartridge configuration was also redesigned to be more accurate in close quarter deployments.
Taser 7 is fully integrated with Axon Evidence to provide use of force reports for the new reporting requirements included in the SAFE-T Act. Currently the Taser x26P has to be removed from service in order for the training division to manually download the metadata after usage. With the Taser 7 technology the battery cartridge stores the data and is automatically uploaded when the battery is changed. Therefore none of the Tasers ever have to be removed from service.
Finally the highest operating expenses for the Taser program are related to training. In 2020 94 officers completed the Taser training class. This total does not include instructors who are authorized to carry but only have to recertify every two years because they are instructors. Each year every user must fire two cartridges as part of their recertification class, at approx. $32.00 a cartridge. We also use 2-4 training cartridges for scenario-based training at a cost of approximately $31.00 a cartridge. Total training cost just for cartridges is approximately $6,000-$14,000 each calendar year. In 2021 we will need to recertify each of them along with the new hires. Year-to date in 2021, we will have added 20 new users. With the minimum purchase of 150 Tasers we are considered at "full deployment". A full deployment makes us eligible for free unlimited instructor training, free unlimited training cartridges, free unlimited duty cartridges, and free spare weapons.
The total five year cost of the Axon Fleet 3 camera system for 150 police vehicles and 150 Taser 7 Conducted Energy Weapons is outlined below.
Axon Fleet 3 camera system
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YEAR 1 PAYMENT $336,960.00
YEAR 2 PAYMENT $336,960.00
YEAR 3 PAYMENT $336,960.00
YEAR 4 PAYMENT $336,960.00
YEAR 5 PAYMENT $336,960.00
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TOTAL $1,684,800.00
Taser 7 Conducted energy weapons
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YEAR 1 PAYMENT $65,270.00
YEAR 2 PAYMENT $62,520.00
YEAR 3 PAYMENT $62,520.00
YEAR 4 PAYMENT $62,520.00
YEAR 5 PAYMENT $62,520.00
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TOTAL $313,350.00
Additionally, by purchasing the Axon Fleet 3 camera system for 150 police vehicles and 150 Taser Conducted Energy Weapons in conjunction with the BWC's, the cost of the BWC's is also reduced as outlined below.
Axon Body 3 Camera System w/o Fleet/Taser Axon Body 3 Camera System w/Fleet/Taser
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YEAR 1 PAYMENT $800,587.00 YEAR 1 PAYMENT $720,528.30
YEAR 2 PAYMENT $506,880.00 YEAR 2 PAYMENT $456,192.00
YEAR 3 PAYMENT $506,880.00 YEAR 3 PAYMENT $456,192.00
YEAR 4 PAYMENT $506,880.00 YEAR 4 PAYMENT $456,192.00
YEAR 5 PAYMENT $506,880.00 YEAR 5 PAYMENT $456,192.00
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TOTAL $2,828, 107.00 TOTAL $2,545,296.30
Taking the total expenses for Body Cameras, Dash Cameras, and Tasers, the total project being bundled, resulted in an additional savings to the body camera project of $282,810.70 or approximately 10%. See attached Aurora PD BWC and Fleet savings plus 150 CEW.xlsx in the attachments.
The Body Worn Camera project will make a first payment of $720,528, however, Dash Cam/Taser payment of $402,230 will not be due until 2022. This being said, both amounts will be included in a second budget amendment to the 2021 budget amendment regarding Capital and other projects funded through ARPA.
Per City of Aurora Code of Ordinances, Article 5, Section 2-355 (a) (3), The city council may, by resolution, authorize a purchase or award a contract, without complying with the provisions of this division provided that, while in public session, it has received competent information, data and sworn testimony or a written affidavit filed with the director of purchasing by the applicable city authority, and substantiated as required by the city council, supporting the fact that the product or service desired is provided by only one (1) person or that failure to act promptly hereunder may likely result in a substantial increase in cost thereof to be borne by the city.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
Approval of this resolution for the purchase of a fleet dash camera system and the Taser 7 Conducted Energy Weapons will improve integration with our approved BWC system and improve compliance with the newly adopted Safe-T-Act and all the reporting requirements set forth in the law. Additionally, it will provide greater transparency and accountability, further strengthening public trust and the legitimacy of the Police Department.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the Council approve this Resolution.
cc: Finance Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
title
A Resolution authorizing the purchase and installation of a fleet dash camera system and the Taser 7 equipment.
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 utilization of technology to improve the transparency, safety, and efficiency of the Police Department services to the community; and
WHEREAS, the implementation of an updated fleet dash camera system and Taser equipment that integrates with the Axon body-worn camera system is a critical step in the provision of this transparency, safety and efficiency of these operations; and
WHEREAS, the City has conducted an in-depth analysis and review of body-worn camera systems to ensure these goals now and into the future; and
WHEREAS, on October 27, 2020, the City Council approved R20-249 which established City policy with respect to the implementation of body-worn cameras by members of the Police Department; and
WHEREAS, on June 15, 2021 the Committee of the Whole approved Legistar item 21-0398 which took into consideration the new State mandates thus increasing the inventory and software of the body worn camera system
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that its expression of said policy set forth in Legistar 21-0398 remains unchanged; and
WHEREAS, Legistar 21-0398 specifically authorized the Chief Financial Officer to enter into a contract in an amount not to exceed $2,828,107.00 for the purchase of body-worn cameras, and software and equipment related thereto for the Police Department; and
WHEREAS, the City has identified an immediate cost savings opportunity for future operational needs with a fully integrated Police fleet dash camera system and Taser equipment;
WHEREAS, on January 13th, 2021 the Illinois General Assembly passed what became Public Act 101-0652 and which included a mandate that law enforcement agencies implement the use of body-worn cameras for all law enforcement officers, and abide by the use of force reporting mandates set forth in the law; and
WHEREAS, the Chief Financial Officer and the Police Department have determined that additional costs of operating a fully integrated fleet camera system and updated Taser Conducted Energy Weapons will be $1,998,150 over a five-year period.
WHEREAS, pursuant to Aurora Code Section 2-335(a)(3) the desired products and integration software are only provided by one source in this situation.)
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: that the City Council authorize the purchase and installation from Axon Enterprise, Inc., Scottsdale, AZ of 150 fleet dash camera systems not to exceed $1,684,800.00 and the purchase of 150 Taser 7 Conducted Energy Weapons not to exceed $313,350.