Authorize the Purchase of Police Body Worn Camera

In 2006 the Police Department implemented its first squad car camera recording system from Panasonic. At this time the recording unit had a single camera that recorded out the front of the squad car windshield. It also had a wireless body microphone that the officer wore that recorded audio if the officer was near and in range of the squad car.

In 2014 the Police Department upgraded its current system to the Panasonic Arbitrator system it is still using today. This system has five cameras installed in the squad car; recording out of the front windshield, rear window, driver side window, passenger side window, and one camera recording the back seat prisoner area. It also has a wireless body microphone which the officer wears on their person.

To stay progressive with technology, due to the changing climate of law enforcement/citizen interactions, and with the growth in the City of Ramsey having several large apartment complexes where the current microphone packs don't reach, staff from the police department began researching a variety of Body Worn Camera vendors. In 2021 and 2022 staff received quotes and viewed demonstrations from Panasonic and from Axon for Body Worn Cameras and for the cloud storage of these videos, plus the redaction software needed to release these videos when needed/requested.

Staff believes switching away from Panasonic and to the Axon package will work best for the current needs of our department; also allowing the discontinuation of the iCrimeFighter annual subscription which allows officers to take statements and photos for their cases. It also will require less server storage by transitioning to unlimited cloud bases storage for this videos.

In accordance with Minnesota State Statute 626.8473, our draft Body Worn Camera policy has been on the police web page since July 29th, 2022, with a form available for public comments. Also in compliance with this Statute subd. 2, a separate council case tonight will allow for public comment on the draft Body Worn Camera policy.
 

Due to the current camera body-worn microphone packs not having a range where they can stay connected to record the officers inside apartment buildings or larger businesses when they are a distance away from their squad car, staff recommends the time frame for purchasing the Body Worn Cameras be authorized for September of 2022.

Staff recommends the time frame for the Axon squad fleet camera upgrade be started in December of 2022 due to these cameras being back-ordered 10 to 12 months from the date of purchase, with a payment due to Axon in January of 2024.
 

The Axon Body Camera quote is attached for $314,926.95, with minor variations possible.

Micro-grant from U.S. Department of Justice award for half of the physical camera purchase, which is estimated to be $11,743.
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds*.
$6,996 annual cost savings from police video server, plus under $900 savings from the server backups.
$7,488 annual cost savings from police iCrimeFighter subscription.

*Axon products and services can be purchased with ARP state and local fiscal recovery funds. The White House guidance on the use of stimulus funds explicitly allows for public safety purchases. There is nothing within the final rule that agencies can only pay for things they are given that year. Recipients must obligate all funds by December 31, 2024 and expend funds by December 31, 2026.
 
Sections 602(c)(1)(C) and 603(c)(1)(C) of the Act provide recipients with broad latitude to use the Fiscal Recovery Funds for the provision of government services. Government services can include, but are not limited to, maintenance or pay-go funded building of infrastructure, including roads; modernization of cybersecurity, including hardware, software, and protection of critical infrastructure; health services; environmental remediation; school or educational services; and the provision of police, fire, and other public safety services (see highlighted section on page 259 of the attached Final Rule).

Staff recommends council authorize the use of ARPA funds to purchase the Body Worn Cameras in 2022.

Motion to council to approve purchase of Body Worn Cameras with funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds.