Dover Police Body Worn Camera 2021 Program Recommendations
The Dover Police Department's program recommendation for implementing body-worn cameras highlights the importance of transparency, accountability, and evidentiary proof in policing. The document discusses the background of adopting emerging technologies in law enforcement, evaluates existing vendors like Coban Technologies and Axon Enterprise, and proposes recommendations for City Council approval, including adding an Evidence Manager position and purchasing the Axon/Taser Officer Safety Plan for a comprehensive solution. The Evidence Manager's role encompasses traditional evidence work and managing the impact of body-worn cameras on various police operations.
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Presentation Transcript
BODY WORN CAMERA 2021 PROGRAM RECOMMENDATION DOVER POLICE DEPARTMENT
BACKGROUND The last decade has featured an ongoing call for expanded: Transparency Accountability Evidentiary Proof Acquisition of emerging technologies within the criminal justice system and policing profession.
BACKGROUND Body Worn Camera (BWC) devices advance all four of these priorities as they: Offer another dimension of post-incident review Increase the public s confidence in police accountability mechanisms Capture video and audio corroboration of written reports Increase the effectiveness of policing priorities
COBAN TECHNOLOGIES *AN EXISTING VENDOR Currently provides in-car/interview room cameras It was hoped that their BWC product would: Easily integrate with existing systems Improve internal processes Save a substantial amount of money It did none of those things.
AXON ENTERPRISE, INC. BODY CAMERA 3 Currently enjoys 80% of the large agency market Was the next lowest quote from the 2020 survey Was an existing vendor (Taser program) Consistently the most often recommended device ** Met or exceeded all Dover Police requirements Advantages in areas not initially identified
RECOMMENDATION City Council Approve the addition of one (1) FTE to manage the program This is a reduction from the original estimate of 1.5 FTE [LAN Analyst] The position has also proved to be more of an Evidence-related task The proposed Evidence Manager would be non-bargaining and supervise the existing Evidence Technician position. [FY 22 Personnel Request is filed] Both positions would be cross-trained to handle all non-supervisory tasks City Council Approve the purchase of the Axon/Taser Officer Safety Plan Complete five (5) year solution to agency BWC and Taser program requirements Highest potential available for achieving community satisfaction
EVIDENCE MANAGER POSITION TRADITIONAL EVIDENCE WORK (2019 DATA) BODY WORN CAMERA IMPACT PROJECTIONS 6,600 separate transactions ~30 Active Officers per day 66 separate transports for testing 365 24-hour days per year 300+ separate court transfers ~11,000 BWC data dumps per year 350+ investigative transfers Each dump has 8-12 hrs. of files Ongoing inventory/audit tasks Before file maintenance begins
AXON/TASER OFFICER SAFETY PLAN BODY WORN CAMERA LATEST GENERATION (CAM 3) TASER 7 INTEGRATED TO BWC Activates BWC upon deployment Improved Video Images Additional options for use Enhanced Audio Capture Smart voltage technology Automatic Activation Options More accurate device Integrated GPS data [ respond ] Automated technology Advanced Oversight Capability
Question: So how does the Dover PD Taser Program become part of the Body Worn Camera presentation? Answer: While researching the Axon BWC product, certain facts came to light about the relationship between our Conducted Energy Device (CED) program and the proposed BWC program.
TASER MODEL X-26 This was the original device issued to Officers. Axon discontinued it around 2014. It is no longer supported with parts/service. Very few remain at Dover PD.
TASER MODEL X-26-P This is the current device issued to Officers. It has better technology & adjustable energy effect. Most Officers at Dover PD carry this device. Most will be beyond warranty by 2022.
TASER MODEL X-26-P It is more weather-proof and has reduced voltage. This device is generally less effective. There is conflicting research data in print. May have resulted in the increased UOF (Unintended Consequence) Source: American Public Media
TASER MODEL T-7 It has wireless connection to BWC. This device adjusts energy to the probes. It has automatic in/out data transfer. Also integrates to our reporting software. [BlueTeam, IAPro]
TASER MODEL T-7 Avoids close to $20,000 in X-26-P-related costs pending in January of 2021 (batteries/cartridges) X-26-P on track to early end of life. Axon migrating toward subscription model. Also migrating back to the two cartridge model
AXON BODY CAMERA 3 Reduced Motion Blurring Enhanced Low-light performance Live-stream capabilities Now has 4 microphones for better audio
AXON BODY CAMERA 3 Comes with a blue tooth device [Hand-held for each officer] Wireless real-time connection to Taser 7 Wireless auto-activate capabilities Multiple mounting options
AXON/TASER OFFICER SAFETY PLAN Begins with the merger of the existing Taser and pending Body Worn Camera programs Includes a five-year package - covers all devices & accessories 70 New Body Worn Cameras with two (2) sets of scheduled replacement cameras (damage/failures/upgrades) [210 total] 85 New T-7 Tasers with replacement Tasers (damage/failures) Device Docking Stations, Cables and Replacement Batteries Replacement Training and Duty Taser Cartridges [Unlimited]
AXON/TASER OFFICER SAFETY PLAN Concurrent unlimited subscription to data storage via Evidence.com All training-related necessities Full-body Taser training suit Instructor and Online User training Virtual Reality Training System Equipment & Current/Future software Vehicle hardware for data transfer and activation features
AXON/TASER OFFICER SAFETY PLAN AXON EVIDENCE.COM VIRTUAL REALITY TRAINING Schizophrenia Complete DPD File Support Suicidal Ideation Desktop/Mobile Integration Autism Audit Trails (Digital) Hard of Hearing Automated Redaction Peer Intervention (pending) Automated File Identification Post-Traumatic Stress (pending) Connection to Attorney General
AXON/TASER OFFICER SAFETY PLAN Total Cost of Officer Safety Plan is $799,930.10 over 5 yrs. Back-loaded (Covid-19) payment plan Year 1 is 8% or $63,944.70 (can be deferred 90 days) Years 2 - 5 are equally divided at $183,996.35 per year Effective out-clause language if funding threatened Some program costs may still be eligible for grant funding Remaining costs in support of X-26-P will be either defrayed or eliminated
EVIDENCE MANAGER POSITION Total Cost of Evidence Manager is $357,572.00 over 5 years $69,274.00 in FY 22 $80,236.00 by FY 26 A part-time position may be necessary in the future should workload exceed current projections
OVERALL VALUE TO DOVER A demonstrated commitment to industry best practices Ownership of leading-edge technology in multiple categories Improved organizational efficiency in case management Meeting stakeholder expectations in 21st Century law enforcement Cost consolidation at a strategic moment [1st Gen BWC, 3rd Gen Taser, COVID pricing] Multi-disciplinary approach to better outcomes following force application *Training (VR, Online, Live) *Technology (inter-operability) *Oversight (random, event)
RISK MANAGEMENT Taser units not under warranty no longer have the Axon insurance coverage 10 Million per occurrence if harm is related to product failure Information from Traveler s Insurance Company Most use-of-force related lawsuits are now Taser deployments More than all other less-lethal events combined (baton/pepper spray/etc.)
THE BOTTOM LINE The cost of the Axon BWC, by itself, over 5 yrs., is just under $293,000 Historical data projects our Taser X-26-P costs, over 5 yrs., is over $130,000 Staffing aside, to incorporate the Axon BWC, without OSP, is $423,000 The basic difference between the two approaches is appox. $377,000 Historical data shows there is grant money available to defray Taser costs Grant dollars are potentially available for BWC technology as well
THE BOTTOM LINE The Officer Safety Program upgrade delivers the following: A better, smarter, more humane conducted energy device (CED) ** Automated assurance that Taser uses are captured via BWC features Automated assurance that Firearms leaving the holster are captured as well Automated BWC activation parameters via vehicle installed signal unit Little room for Axon to deflect liability back to the City of Dover [Warranty] A giant stride forward in training capability for CED (At-risk populations) Currently in use at the New Castle Co. Police Department [Baltimore/Annapolis]
AXON/TASER OFFERS THE MOST COMPLETE SOLUTION TO THE BODY WORN CAMERA NEEDS OF THE DOVER POLICE. The Officer Safety Plan has value in the direct delivery of proven BWC technology as well as the indirect benefits to Patrol, Investigations, Training, Administration and Professional Standards through it s companion products.
