| ITEM #: 4. DATE: 12/06/2021 AI #:574 |
 |
CITY COUNCIL ACTION REPORT
| SUBJECT: | APPROVAL OF POWER OF ATTORNEY DOCUMENTS FOR RIDGEWAY INTERNATIONAL USA, INC. AND JOHN S. CONNOR GLOBAL LOGISTICS FOR SHIPMENT OF LESS-LETHAL WEAPONS |
| STAFF PRESENTER(S): | Santiago Rodriguez, Chief of Police |
OTHER PRESENTER(S):
Lisa Maxie-Mullins
SUMMARY
Approval of Power of Attorney documents necessary to facilitate the shipping of less-lethal weapons from Canada to Arizona.
Recommendation
ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2021-2191 APPROVING THE POWER OF ATTORNEY DOCUMENTS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR RIDGEWAY INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND JOHN S. CONNOR GLOBAL LOGISTICS; PROVIDING AUTHORIZATION FOR THE CITY MANAGER OR HER DESIGNEE AND THE CITY ATTORNEY TO TAKE ANY AND ALL ACTIONS NECESSARY IN FURTHERANCE OF THE POWER OF ATTORNEY; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. (Santiago Rodriguez, Chief of Police)
FISCAL IMPACT
The purchase price for the less-lethal weapons are currently allocated for expenditure in the FY2022 budget.
BACKGROUND AND PREVIOUS ACTIONS
In the beginning of calendar year 2020, the Goodyear Police Department reviewed replacement options for aging less-lethal weapon systems utilized by the Special Assignments Unit (SAU). In September 2020, the Department decided to move forward with the ARWEN less-lethal launcher, a product manufactured and distributed by Police Ordnance, a Canadian company.
On September 2, 2020, the Department submitted a purchase order to Police Ordnance for the purchase of 2 ARWEN 37mm less-lethal launchers and associated ammunition. In June 2021, the ammunition was delivered to the Department. However, due to pandemic supply chain issues and subsequent changes in custom processes, the weapons have not been delivered.
In June 2021, Police Ordnance advised the Department of changes to U.S. Customs and Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms requirements regarding the shipment of weapons. Between June and August 2021, Goodyear Police has engaged in communications with ATF, U.S. Customs, and Police Ordnance in an effort to resolve and comply with U.S. Customs requirements.
The Department was advised by U.S. Customs that shipping the weapons across the Canadian border requires registered shipping agents and customs brokers. In coordination with the vendor and various federal agencies, the Department has identified Ridgeway International, Inc., a shipping company, and John S. Connor Global Logistics, a customs brokerage firm. Both Ridgeway and Connor require the execution of Power of Attorney documents in order to move forward with transporting the weapons from Canada to Arizona. U.S. Customs has confirmed that the POA is generally requested and required by custom brokers and shipping agents and that is the only legally permissible way to transport the weapons across the Canadian border.
On September 2, 2020, the Department submitted a purchase order to Police Ordnance for the purchase of 2 ARWEN 37mm less-lethal launchers and associated ammunition. In June 2021, the ammunition was delivered to the Department. However, due to pandemic supply chain issues and subsequent changes in custom processes, the weapons have not been delivered.
In June 2021, Police Ordnance advised the Department of changes to U.S. Customs and Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms requirements regarding the shipment of weapons. Between June and August 2021, Goodyear Police has engaged in communications with ATF, U.S. Customs, and Police Ordnance in an effort to resolve and comply with U.S. Customs requirements.
The Department was advised by U.S. Customs that shipping the weapons across the Canadian border requires registered shipping agents and customs brokers. In coordination with the vendor and various federal agencies, the Department has identified Ridgeway International, Inc., a shipping company, and John S. Connor Global Logistics, a customs brokerage firm. Both Ridgeway and Connor require the execution of Power of Attorney documents in order to move forward with transporting the weapons from Canada to Arizona. U.S. Customs has confirmed that the POA is generally requested and required by custom brokers and shipping agents and that is the only legally permissible way to transport the weapons across the Canadian border.
STAFF ANALYSIS
The Department is requesting Council’s approval of the Ridgeway and Connor POAs to facilitate the transport of the ARWEN less-lethal weapons across the Canadian border. These weapons will be utilized by SAU to carry essential SAU functions which include the resolution of barricaded subjects, high risk search warrants, arrest of subjects with high violence potential, and hostage rescues. The SAU response includes the use of “less lethal” tools and equipment.
The ARWEN less-lethal weapons will be utilized to apprehend subjects in the most efficient manner by delivering less-lethal rounds and aerosol irritants. These weapons have been utilized by a several Arizona police departments, including Phoenix, Chandler and Scottsdale. The ARWEN less-lethal weapons are expected to last 7 years and are needed to replace aging less lethal weapons which are more than 15 years old.
The ARWEN less-lethal weapons will be utilized to apprehend subjects in the most efficient manner by delivering less-lethal rounds and aerosol irritants. These weapons have been utilized by a several Arizona police departments, including Phoenix, Chandler and Scottsdale. The ARWEN less-lethal weapons are expected to last 7 years and are needed to replace aging less lethal weapons which are more than 15 years old.