Consider recommending approval of a 5-year contact with Paladin Drones. (Lieutenant Fry)

Initiated by: Lieutenant Michael Fry - Police and Deputy Chief Fuller - Fire

The Roswell Police Department currently has two drones and one dock. The dock is located on the roof of the police department with a drone housed inside. Over the first 45 days of use with the Paladin system, the drones have already assisted in 2 vehicle pursuits, multiple search warrants, multiple arrest warrant services, was airborne for 1 hour 47 minutes during a SWAT standoff, responded to multiple structure fires, and a grass fire. We have seen success with the streaming capabilities and have recorded vital evidence that will assist in criminal prosecution. Through Paladin, both drones are now capable of being controlled by any computer or MCT via cellular service. The video from both drones is able to be streamed and saved to the cloud. A temporary link is able to be texted to any cell phone for the user to view anywhere. Paladin drafts and submits all necessary certificate of waiver or authorization paperwork to the FAA.

This 5-year contract would give the police and fire departments 2 additional drones and docks for a total of 3 docks and 4 drones. The docks would be located at Fire Station 3 (2800 North Wilshire), Roswell PD (128 W 2nd), and Fire Station 5 (117 W Gayle) with the fourth drone capable of being deployed from the field. Attached is a coverage map. The 5-year contract also covers any maintenance and repairs on any drone, streaming capabilities, and coverage for technological and legal changes.

Future uses include responding to calls for service, narcotic surveillance, warrant services, SWAT standoffs, building clearances, grass fires, structure fires, large public gatherings to include UFO Fest, Eastern New Mexico State Fair, National Championship Air Races, and Sling it Fling it. This will also allow aerial documentation of major crash and crime scenes.  The drones would be operated and monitored by the Real Time Crime Center at the Roswell Police Department. 

The total of the 5-year contract is $496,350. Annual pricing is as follows:

• Year 1: $123,270 (includes one-time purchase price of additional drones)
• Year 2: $93,270
• Year 3: $93,270
• Year 4: $93,270
• Year 5: $93,270

The payments would be due in May of each year. This would be paid by the Public Safety Tax(Ambulance Tax). This contract does include a 9% discount for annual recurring items and a $30,000 discount for second docking station for restriction of the current agreement.

The contract has been submitted to the legal department for review.

This is the first committee to be submitted to with plans to submit to finance on April 1st, 2025.

This has been discussed with both chiefs from fire and police department with their approval.