Title
Authorize and direct the Contracts and Purchasing Officer or her designee to execute the non-standard agreement with Axon Enterprises, Inc. for body worn cameras and tasers, from August 1, 2024 through July 31, 2033, in the amount of $15,905,140.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
Authorize and direct the Contracts and Purchasing Officer or her designee to execute the non-standard agreement with Axon Enterprises, Inc. for body worn cameras and tasers, from August 1, 2024 through July 31, 2033, in the amount of $15,905,140.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
At this time the Monterey County Sheriff's Office does not utilize Body Worn Cameras (BWC) in its day-to-day operations. The Sheriff's Office is in the minority locally and across the nation of agencies who are not using this tool for increased evidentiary value and community transparency. With this in mind the Sheriff's Office established a goal to implement a BWC program across the entire organization to ensure every sworn deputy would have access to an assigned camera as it is known BWCs increase transparency, help to build trust within the communities we serve, increase both officer and citizen safety, aid in the investigation and prosecution of crimes, and are a common tool across the law enforcement profession.
To implement this goal in 2023 the Sheriff's Office applied for and was awarded a grant from the United States Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance in the amount of $600,000 for the purchase and implementation of a Body Worn Camera program. The awarded grant can be utilized to provide funding over a 3-year period from the award date and requires $600,000 funding match during the 3-year grant period as well. To meet the conditions of the grant, all grant funds must be expended prior to the conclusion of September 2026.
Consultation with County Contract Purchasing was undertaken to ensure the vendor selection process adhered to County processes. A...
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