SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:
Title
Accept a United States Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, JAG Local: Eligible Allocation Amounts $25,000 or More 2020 grant award in the amount of $39,296 for Axon Signal Vehicle equipment and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same. (consent)
Body
SUMMARY:
At the July 16, 2020 city council meeting, the Police Department was directed to incorporate a body worn camera program. The selected body worn camera program is a product of the Police Department’s Axon System and works in integration with the department’s Digital Evidence Management System.
On August 6, 2020, the City Council approved an agreement to provide 200 Axon “Body 3” cameras, 25 docking bays, storage, licensing, and training to fulfill the Council directive. To ensure body camera activation during critical incidents, the Police Department seeks to incorporate the Axon Signal Vehicle as a facet of the Body Worn Camera Program. This technology enables Axon cameras to sense events, such as activating the police vehicle emergency lights, and start recording, without manual input from the officer/employee.
The grant has been officially awarded in the amount of $39,296 and the Police Department now seeks approval to accept it. Through this amount, the Police Department intends to purchase approximately 140 Axon Signal Vehicle modules. Once purchased, these modules will be installed within selected patrol vehicles within the Police Department’s fleet.
The project period commenced on September 21, 2020 and will end on or before July 1, 2021.
There will be no direct adverse impact to the Police Department annual operating budget nor is there a required match.
The Axon Signal Vehicle product is available for purchase utilizing National Purchasing Partners (Contract #VH11629), a national resource for public entities for similar public solicitations; the city of Clearwater is a participating member in this partnership.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
A first quarter budget amendment will increase special program P2002, Police Body Worn Camera Program, to recognize the grant revenues received.