Council awards consolidated Axon services contract, approves Taser purchase

The City Council unanimously approved a five‑year master services and purchase agreement with Axon Enterprises that consolidates the city’s existing camera and evidence‑storage agreements and funds a replacement/refresh schedule for body‑worn and fleet cameras. The contract also includes Taser 10 devices, virtual‑reality training modules for de‑escalation, and automated redaction/transcription tools.

Police staff told the council they currently manage 13 separate Axon contracts that cover body‑worn cameras, in‑car video, interview‑room cameras and license‑plate readers. Consolidation onto a single management platform (Axon Evidence/Fusus/Respond suite) reduces the number of vendor logins, improves evidence transfer to prosecuting agencies, allows live‑view monitoring by supervisors for safety, and includes scheduled hardware refreshes (a partial refresh in 2028 and a full fleet refresh in 2030 and 2034). Lieutenant Fenner described automated redaction and transcription features that would reduce staff time spent preparing evidence for court and public‑records requests.

Police staff also sought to buy upgraded Taser 10 devices, which the department said extend safe engagement distances and provide additional options for officers in use‑of‑force incidents. Captain remarks described the devices as a force‑option that ‘‘gives you time and distance’’ and noted in‑house trainers would oversee deployment and training.

Fiscal impact: staff requested authority to spend up to $1,397,498.67 over five years. The city will fund the purchase and services using a mix of asset‑forfeiture funds, COPS funding, and the Technology Fund; staff requested supplemental appropriations for the current fiscal year to cover early‑term purchases. The council approved the contract and the funding strategy 5‑0.