DATE: June 4, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
FROM: Police Department
TITLE: PURCHASE OF AXON BODY-WORN CAMERAS, LICENSE PLATE RECOGNITION CAMERAS, AND VIDEO EVIDENCE STORAGE FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT
RECOMMENDATION
title
Staff and the Police and Fire Commission recommend that the City Council approve a purchase order to Axon Enterprise Inc., in an amount not to exceed $3,194,647, for the purchase of upgraded replacement body-worn cameras (BWC), Automatic License Plate Recognition cameras (ALPRs) and Fusus (data integration platform), extension of Fleet 3 In-Car Cameras, and unlimited data storage for video captured by those devices utilizing Sourcewell Contract #101223-AXN; and authorize the Financial Services Director, or designee, to execute the purchase order.
body
BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS
The BWC is an individual electronic device that each uniformed Officer mounts on their person to document and memorialize contact with members of the public in criminal investigations, interviews, and other law enforcement interactions with community members. The Oceanside Police Department (OPD) currently utilizes Axon Enterprise BWC equipment, which was purchased in August of 2020. The current Axon BWC contract expires in July and a new contract is required for continued operations. Additionally, the current Fleet 3 In-Car Cameras contract expires in FY2027-28, this new contract will extend the use of Fleet 3 through FY2029-30. The proposed new contract with Axon is inclusive of BWC, an extension of the Fleet 3 in-car camera service, ALPR and Fusus.
While there is no current mandate for Law Enforcement Officers to be equipped with BWCs, it has become an expectation of the community and is considered a “best practice” of law enforcement. The absence of BWC video has become a major point of contention when law enforcement incidents come under scrutiny or are otherwise investigated. Expectations of law enforcement accountability demand engagement in practices that support transparency. The use of BWCs has become a best practice in law enforcement and is supported by officers in the field and community members. Body-worn cameras provide crucial documentation of police-public encounters and are essential for collecting evidence and maintaining public trust. The use of body-worn cameras in law enforcement has proven effective in reducing violent confrontations and complaints against officers.
In-car cameras are another valuable law enforcement tool. The In-Car Camera system represents an additional means to increase transparency by providing additional perspective necessary to explain the actions of those involved in a police encounter. The Police Department currently operates a fleet of nearly 70 police vehicles that are equipped with Fleet 3 in-car cameras. Each vehicle is also equipped with a Mobile Computer Terminal which is wirelessly connected to the internet via cellular connection. These cameras were purchased with a Federal Department of Justice Grant in 2023. The current service contract expires in June of 2028, the proposed contract will extend the service for these cameras until June of 2030.
The Axon Fusus platform integrates video feeds, data and signals from Axon body worn cameras, drones, fleet cameras, tasers and other Axon systems. All these feeds are unified into a single source that it is built for and will enhance the previously-authorized Real Time Crime Center (RTCC) operations. Adding Fusus to the Axon package will result in the integration of various Axon products into a one-stop data management shop, making the RTCC a more robust program.
OPD is adding Axon’s automatic license plate reader (ALPR) software to the already installed in-car cameras by upgrading the camera software and having the ability to convert the in-car cameras to license plate readers. There are several benefits on having cameras that are equipped with license plate reader capabilities, including but not limited to:
• Real-time, in vehicle alerting on plates of interest.
• Ability to analyze and identify vehicles on the move.
• Efficient crime solving.
• Plate read data collected during patrol is retained and can be accessed through Axon Evidence in later investigations.
Axon Enterprise, Inc. is an industry leader in body-worn cameras and video evidence management. The company produces a consistent and reliable BWC system that offers continuous client support. Many police agencies in San Diego County and across the State utilize Axon BWCs.
Axon incorporates a cloud-based data storage solution, Evidence.com. This storage solution allows for streamlined access by the Oceanside Police Department, the City Attorney’s Office, and the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office. Axon BWCs are able to communicate with other Axon products, such as Taser 10, currently in use by the Department. When the Taser 10 is activated, it triggers activation of the BWC. This feature will correct for potential issues with not activating a BWC in a critical incident due to the spontaneous nature of the incident or human error.
Axon has provided a five-year plan that includes 240 BWCs, evidence tagging license, storage, device connectivity, and dock stations. The total cost of this plan is $3,194,647 over a five-year term. OPD will be piggybacking on Sourcewell Contract #101223-AXN for pricing.
FISCAL IMPACT
The purchase order costs $3,194,647, to be paid in annual increments over five years. The five-year purchase agreement will be effective FY2025-26 through FY2029-30. Funding for this purchase has been allocated and subject to approval of the FY25-26 budget and will be paid using OPD Patrol account 500517101.5330 and 500517101.5355.0009. Future years will be budgeted during the normal budget process.
With the approval of this purchase, payments will be as follows:
|
Description |
Annual Payment Amount for BWC, ALPR, FUSUS |
Annual Payment for Ext of Fleet 3 contract |
Projected Budget Balance |
Account |
|
FY 2025-26 Year 1 |
$195,934 |
$0 |
$1,021,587 |
500517101.5330 |
|
|
417,481 |
0 |
|
500517101.5355.0009 |
|
FY 2026-27 Year 2 |
162,936 |
0 |
|
500517101.5330 |
|
|
451,700 |
0 |
|
500517101.5355.0009 |
|
FY 2027-28 Year 3 |
162,936 |
0 |
|
500517101.5330 |
|
|
451,700 |
0 |
|
500517101.5355.0009 |
|
FY 2028-29 Year 4 |
162,936 |
0 |
|
500517101.5330 |
|
|
451,700 |
61,344 |
|
500517101.5355.0009 |
|
FY 2029-30 Year 5 |
162,936 |
0 |
|
500517101.5330 |
|
|
451,700 |
61,344 |
|
500517101.5355.0009 |
|
Total Contract |
$3,071,959 |
$122,688 |
|
|
COMMISSION OR COMMITTEE REPORT
The Police and Fire Commission approved the staff’s recommendation at its regularly scheduled meeting on May 15, 2025.
CITY ATTORNEY’S ANALYSIS
Purchases will be made according to the procedures outlined in Chapter 28A of the City Code.
end
Prepared by: Abigail Koevary, Administrative Analyst
Reviewed by: Taurino Valdovinos, Chief of Police
Submitted by: Jonathan Borrego, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Staff Report
2. Oceanside PD - Program Proposal
3. Quote - Fleet 3
4. Quote - BWC ALPR FUSUS
5. Sourcewell Axon Contract