Approve the expenditure of funds for the purchase of upgraded tasers, body worn camera devices and associated technology. 

Approve the expenditure of funds for the purchase of upgraded tasers and body worn camera devices and associated technology. (Greg Garner, Police Lieutenant)

The total purchase commitment for the updated tasers, body worn cameras, and associated technology for FY2022 budget is $754,144.73.  The Goodyear Police Department received approval for FY2022 supplemental funding in the amount of $471,700.  The additional $282,444.73 will be funded through the Department’s ongoing base budget for the taser and body worn camera program. The Department received a quote for a supplemental for Axon Body Cameras and Tasers in the summer of 2020.  At the time the Department had 114 body cameras and Tasers for the officers. Since that time the Department has increased the number of body camera’s and Tasers to 140 which caused an increase in the total contract dollar amount. The vendor also had a price increase in January 2021 which contributes to the increase in budget need.

In 2016 the Goodyear Police Department made the decision to implement body cameras for its officers.  The city procured equipment under the City of Tempe contract with Taser International, Inc awarded by Tempe City Council on September 24, 2015.  The original five-year contract was for seventy-six cameras, support equipment and storage. Tasers, which have been in use in the department prior to 2000, are implemented as an additional form of less lethal force and body worn cameras document officer interactions. In addition to the physical equipment, the video from the cameras is uploaded to the vendor’s cloud storage, Evidence.com for retrieval when necessary.  In addition to the body camera footage, officers use Evidence.com to upload pictures and videos captured during an investigation while they are in the field.


 

The Goodyear Police Department received the body camera equipment in 2016 and implemented the equipment including training and policies.  The contract between the City of Goodyear and the current vendor supplies the City of Goodyear Police Department with equipment that is needed to protect themselves and document with video evidence all interactions with the public. This expenditure allows for the purchase of upgraded tasers and body camera devices and associated technology.  The expenditure of funds for this purchase will ensure that officers can continue to use an updated and advanced version of current equipment.