To: Board of Supervisors
From: Sheriff
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Agreement between Axon Enterprises, Inc. and Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office for Body Worn Cameras at the Humboldt County Correctional Facility (HCCF)
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Review and approve the attached Body Worn Camera Policy for the Humboldt County Correctional Facility;
2. Authorize the purchasing agent to sign the Master Services and Purchasing Agreement between Axon Enterprise, Inc., (Axon) and the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office (Attachment 1) for body-worn cameras for HCCF; and
3. Authorize the purchasing agent to sign any contract amendments, modifications or extensions for the term on the agreement.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
General Fund
DISCUSSION:
The HCCF will be implementing body-worn cameras to be worn in the correctional facility. Body-worn cameras are commonly used in law enforcement to help resolve complaints, increase accountability, and keep officers and inmates safe. By being able to provide video documentation of interactions between staff and inmates will reduce liability and claims of wrongdoing by staff. HCCF reached out to several vendors and acquired three quotes for purchase, implementation, video storage and maintenance of a body-worn camera program. Additionally, the HCCF conducted a pilot program with two of the vendors willing to participate in order to evaluate the ease of use, quality of video, and ability to retrieve data. After evaluating the cameras, cost and services offered, Axon was selected for their technology and design of camera placement. Pursuant to section 6.8 of the Purchasing Policy, the county would enter into the contract with Axon as a Cooperative Purchase Agreement through National IPA which provides certain benefits to the County. All agreements offered through National IPA have been awarded via a thorough Request for Proposal (RFP) competitive solicitation by a public agency/governmental entity saving county staff time and expense involved with issuing, evaluating, and demoing a county issued RFP.
The Body Worn Camera program implementation includes 14 cameras, necessary accessories, 2 docking stations for image uploads, and a 5-year maintenance and video storage agreement. HCCF consulted with Humboldt County’s information technology department, purchasing department, and county counsel on this project.
The Body Worn Camera implementation will not impact other County IT operations as the HCCF has secured a contract with a local communications company to provide the necessary data bandwidth to support the uploading of the video to the vendors secure cloud-based storage. The internet connection and ability to upload the data will be in place prior to implementing the body worn cameras.
HCCF has adopted a Body Worn Camera Policy (Attachment 2) and will be thoroughly training officers on the use of body worn cameras prior to implementation. HCCF is seeking your Board’s approval of that policy.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The purchase and implementation of the body worn camera program will be $27,031.90 in FY2018-2019. The program will cost $14,412.00 each subsequent year for the next 4 years. The total 5-year agreement is $91,678.80.
There is sufficient funding in Sheriff-Jail budget (1100-243) for the body-worn camera program in FY 2018-19. The initial and ongoing costs will be paid from budget unit 243 - Sheriff Jail, expense line 2118 - Professional Services, and expense line 2123 - Special Departmental Expenses. There will be no additional impact to the General Fund.
The request supports the Board of Supervisors strategic framework by creating opportunities for improved safety and health.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None.
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board of Supervisors may choose not to approve the agreement, however this is not recommended, as it would jeopardize the ability of the county to improve the safety of correctional officers and inmates at HCCF. The Board may choose not to approve the Body Camera Policy or may choose to direct staff to make changes to the Policy.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1 - Master Purchase and Maintenance Agreement between Axon and Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office
Attachment 2 - HCCF Body Worn Camera Policy
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: None.
Meeting of: None.