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Collegedale approves one-year vendor access to phone-extraction tool; vendor to cover first-year fee
Summary
The commission approved an MOU allowing the police department to use vendor-supplied phone-extraction (gray key) services for one year; staff said the vendor will cover the estimated first-year fee (about $16,000) and the department will review usage before committing to future years.
The Collegedale Board of Commissioners on June 2 approved a memorandum of understanding that gives the police department access to a vendor’s phone-extraction (so-called “gray key”) services for one year, with the vendor covering the estimated first-year fee.
Police Chief described the agreement and said the vendor’s contribution covers the initial annual fee (staff cited an estimate of about $16,000); the service provides a finite number of device “unlocks” (staff cited a quote based on 30 unlocks) and is intended for cases where officers lack passcodes or encounter additional device security that standard tools cannot bypass.
The chief and Sergeant O’Daniel said the capability shortens the time to obtain forensic data compared with relying on other agencies and can speed evidence turnaround and return of devices to suspects. Staff said the department will monitor usage during the free first year and then evaluate whether to purchase more unlocks or continue the service.
Commissioners voted to approve the MOU on a roll call; staff said these are used only with appropriate legal process and that search warrants were obtained in cases described during the meeting.
