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Home My WebLink About4.6 Police Body-Worn Video Cameras or 19 82 STAFF REPORT CITY CLERK ` CITY COUNCIL File #350-20 DATE: November 18, 2014 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers FROM: Christopher L. Foss, City Manager " SUBJECT: Authorization to Purchase Personal Body-Worn Video Cameras Prepared by Nathan Schmidt, Lieutenant Dublin Police Services EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: In recent years, law enforcement agencies have been experimenting with and using body-worn video cameras. Staff conducted research and found those departments utilizing body-worn video cameras experienced a reduction in agency liability and citizen complaints. Additionally, the cameras protected officers from false accusations as well as provided evidence which could be used in court. Although there are several different types of body-worn video cameras produced for law enforcement, Staff is recommending the VIEVU LE3, as these cameras best meet the needs of the agency. The purchase of 54 VIEVU LE3 units will outfit every sworn member of Dublin Police Services, as well as the Sheriff's Technician assigned to the Traffic Unit with a body-worn video camera. FINANCIAL IMPACT: The purchase of 54 VIEVU LE3 will cost $52,915.14. Through the work on several criminal investigations, the Dublin Police Services' Special Investigations Unit has acquired revenue through federal asset seizure and forfeitures. In order for these acquired funds to be used to purchase operational items for the improvement and enhancement of the department to include VIEVU LE3 cameras and future purchases, approval must be obtained to move the funds into a budgeted account. A budget appropriation of$100,000 in asset seizure funds will cover the cost of these cameras, with the remainder available for miscellaneous departmental equipment and supplies. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends the City Council adopt the Resolution Authorizing the Procurement of 54 VIEVU LE3 body-worn video cameras from Adamson Police Products, and approve the budget change. (Note: The City Purchasing Ordinance will require this item to be approved by a four- fifths vote, as the pricing was negotiated and not obtained from a sealed bid.) Page 1 of 3 ITEM NO. 4.6 / iv Submitted By Reviewed By 'A Reviewed By Police Chief Administrative Assistant City Manager Services Director DESCRIPTION: Recently, law enforcement agencies have been experimenting with and utilizing body-worn video cameras. Studies have shown body-worn cameras protect officers from false accusations, reduce agency liability and citizen complaints, and provide evidence for use in court. Unlike vehicle-mounted cameras, the body-worn camera travels with the officer when they step away from the patrol car. The camera can be attached to a shirt, belt, or helmet. Staff identified several different brands and types of body-worn video cameras which were made for law enforcement officers. The cameras were researched with functionality, durability, performance, and cost in mind. After a 30-day trial period, Staff found the VIEVU LE3 body- camera best met the needs of the agency. The VIEVU LE3 body camera is currently being used by over 4,000 police agencies. It is rugged, waterproof, and easy to use. The camera clips to a uniform to record both the actions of the wearer and those in its field of view. The VIEVU LE3 features include HD video resolution, 16GB internal memory and up to 12 hours of record time. The camera is powered by VIEVU's Veripatrol software system and video is securely stored and catalogued with a FIPS 140-2 compliant digital signature process, to verify the video has not been altered. The camera is extremely easy to use and totally unobtrusive on the body. The only time wires are attached to the unit is when video is being downloaded to the server or to charge the lithium-Ion battery. Research shows a body-worn camera can be beneficial in all contacts law enforcement has with the public and therefore deployment of cameras to all sworn staff, as well as to the Sheriff's Technician in Dublin Police Services Traffic Unit, will maximize their effectiveness. Staff obtained competitive pricing from multiple VIEVU vendors for the purchase of 54 VIEVU LE3 cameras. The City Municipal Code establishes the procedures for making purchases and requires that major purchases for items in excess of $45,000 be awarded by the City Council. The award is to be made based on formal sealed bids unless one of the allowed exceptions is utilized. The Municipal Code contains a specific exception to the formal bid process when the purchase is for goods of a technical nature. The exception is shown below: Section 2.36.100(B)(4) Dublin Municipal Code: When a contract or purchase involves goods of a technical nature, where it would be difficult for a vendor to bid on a standard set of specifications, and the Purchasing Agent undertakes a thorough review of known products and a comparison of features which would most closely meet the city's needs at the lowest cost, Staff recommends the City Council authorize the purchase through negotiation for the acquisition of 54 VIEVU LE3 body-worn video cameras. The lowest cost presented for the video cameras was from Adamson Police Products. The competitive pricing obtained is shown in the Table below: Page 2 of 3 COMPARISON PRICING FOR THE VIEVU LE3 BODY-WORN VIDEO CAMERA (Includes Purchase Price, Sales Tax, and Shipping Costs) VENDOR TOTAL COST Adamson Police Products $52,915.14 Optics Planet Inc. $53,046.05 VIEVU $53,021.05 Through the work on several criminal investigations, the Dublin Police Services' Special Investigations Unit has acquired revenue through federal asset seizure and forfeitures. In order for these acquired funds to be used to purchase operational items for the improvement and enhancement of the department to include VIEVU LE3 cameras, approval must be obtained to move the funds into a budgeted account. The budget appropriation of$100,000 in asset seizure funds will cover the cost of these cameras, with the remainder available for miscellaneous departmental equipment and supplies. NOTICING REQUIREMENTS/PUBLIC OUTREACH: None. ATTACHMENTS: 1. Resolution Authorizing the Procurement of 54 VIEVU LE3 Video Cameras from Adamson Police Products and Approving the Budget Change Utilizing Asset Seizure Funds (attached as Exhibit A to the Resolution) Page 3 of 3 RESOLUTION NO. xx - 14 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DUBLIN AUTHORIZING THE PROCUREMENT FIFTY-FOUR (54) VIEVU LE3 BODY WORN VIDEO CAMERAS FROM ADAMSON POLICE PRODUCTS AND APPROVING THE BUDGET CHANGE UTILIZING ASSET SEIZURE FUNDS WHEREAS, studies have shown body-worn cameras protect law enforcement officers from false accusations, reduce agency liability and citizen complaints, and provide evidence for use in court; and WHEREAS, staff researched several different types of body-worn cameras and after a thirty—day (30) trial period found the VIEVU LE3 to best meet the needs of the agency; and WHEREAS, the purchase of fifty-four (54) VIEVU LE3 units will allow for all sworn staff members, as well as the Sheriff's Technician in the Traffic Unit, to be outfitted with a camera which will maximize their effectiveness; and WHEREAS, Dublin Police Services has acquired revenue through federal asset seizure and forfeitures which will allow staff to procure operational items for the improvement and enhancement of the department to include VIEVU LE3 cameras; and WHEREAS, approval of a budget change to utilize the federal asset seizure and forfeitures must be obtained; and WHEREAS, Section 2.36.100(8)(4) of the Dublin Municipal Code allows for exceptions to the typical public bidding process when the City Council specifically waives the competitive bid process and authorizes staff to negotiate the purchase of goods of a technical nature by a four-fifths vote; and WHEREAS, Staff has obtained quotes for the equipment and is recommending the procurement from Adamson Police Products in the amount of$52,915.14; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Dublin does hereby authorize the City Manager as Purchasing Agent to procure fifty-four (54) VIEVU LE3 body-worn video cameras from `Adamson Police Products' as described to the City Council on November 18, 2014. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council approves the proposed Budget Change (Exhibit A) to appropriate the asset seizure funds for use in FY 2014-15. PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 18th day of November 2014, by the following vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: Mayor ATTEST: City Clerk ATTACHMENT 1 CITY OF DUBLIN FISCAL YEAR 2014-15 BUDGET CHANGE FORM -Exhbit A to the Resolution Budget Change Reference#: City Council's Approval Required,,,, From Un-Appropriated Reserves X Budget Transfer Between Funds From Designated Reserves Other DECREASE,BUDGET AMOUNT- I,N CI EASE BUDGET AMOUNT Account Amount Account Amount Federal Asset Seizure Fund -Police Operations Support- Equipment 2107.2111.73101 $100)000 REASON,N FOR,BUDG'ET CHANGE, , The Dublin Police Services' Special Investigations Unit has acquired revenue through federal asset seizure and forfeitures. The budget change is for the utilization of the acquired funds to purchase operational items for the improvement and enhancement of the department As Presented at the City Council Meeting 11/18/2014 • Posted By: Date: C:\Users\agenda\Desktop\4.6 attch 2 4.6 attch 2