CC 2019-09-10_08c Purchase of Police Body Worn Cameras
MEMORANDUM
TO: CITY COUNCIL
FROM: BEAU D. PRYOR, CHIEF OF POLICE
BY: SHAWN COSGROVE, POLICE COMMANDER
SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION TO PURCHASE BODY WORN CAMERAS FOR THE
POLICE DEPARTMENT
DATE: SEPTEMBER 10, 2019
SUMMARY OF ACTION:
Council’s approval to purchase body worn cameras for the Police Department.
IMPACT ON FINANCIAL AND PERSONNEL RESOURCES:
This action will have no impact to the General Fund or the Police Department’s operating
budget. The purchase is to be fully funded by a Supplemental Law Enforcement Services
Fund (SLESF) Citizens Option for Public Safety (COPS) Grant program. The total cost
funded by the grant is $60,625.00 for thirty (30) cameras, redaction software, pairing and
docking stations, and technology support and maintenance program. Pricing is based on
a State contract award from the Houston-Galveston Area Council (HGAC) to ensure
lowest contractual cost.
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended the City Council approve the purchase of body worn cameras for
Police Department staff funded through the awarded SLESF (COPS) Grant program.
BACKGROUND:
As part of the Police Department’s 2019-2020 Strategic Plan, and at the recommendation
of the President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing, the Chief of Police is a proponent
of introducing a body worn camera program. Presently, officers are not wearing body
worn cameras on their person.
ANALYSIS OF ISSUES:
In May 2015, the President of the United States released the final report of the President’s
Task Force on 21st Century Policing. Contained in this report was the recommendation
that law enforcement agencies implement body worn camera programs to create
transparency and accountability between both the public and police officers. Body worn
Item 8.c. - Page 1
CITY COUNCIL
CONSIDERATION TO PURCHASE BODY WORN CAMERAS FOR THE POLICE
DEPARTMENT
SEPTEMBER 10, 2019
PAGE 2
cameras, when activated, capture real time video evidence of an evolving event and
preserves the data for subsequent review. Body worn cameras have become an industry
standard in law enforcement and a majority of law enforcement agencies in San Luis
Obispo County have implemented body worn camera programs.
In 2019, the City Council approved the Police Department’s 2019-2021 Strategic Plan,
which included the implementation of a body worn camera program (Goal two /Action
item 2.1.1). Currently, the Police Department utilizes an in-car video system purchased
through Coban Technologies Incorporated. Each marked police vehicle can record an
event when activated by the officer. The Police Department uses Coban software to
manage data in the Department’s server for storage. To fully integrate the in-car system
and body worn camera system using the existing server and software, Coban body worn
cameras were selected for efficiency and continuity. Since early June, the Police
Department has been testing two Coban Focus X1 body cameras. Two police officers
were identified to wear the camera during their shifts. As mandated by policy, each officer
was required to activate their camera upon contact with the public. One officer worked
the day shift in a supervisory position and the other officer worked the night shift to test
the camera resolution in low light and/or darkness. Management has reviewed hours of
footage of the officer’s interactions and were impressed by the quality of the camera.
The body worn camera program would include the Focus X1 camera manufactured by
Coban. The Focus X1 capabilities meet the department needs as they are durable, user
friendly, and capable of 1080P/720P and 480P resolutions. During the testing process,
the battery life was sufficient for a 12-hour patrol shift and the mounting systems were
easy to use and affixed to the officer’s uniform securely. The cameras can upload using
two different systems. Data captured in the field can be uploaded into the Department’s
server by using the pairing system in the police vehicle that syncs both the in-car and
body worn cameras or a docking bay inside the police station which also uploads data
directly to the secured server. All video generated from the body worn cameras will be
stored on a redundant network storage dedicated to the Police Department in-car video
system, with adequate space for the addition of body worn camera videos. In addition to
the hardware, the Police Department will need to purchase video redaction software
based on Senate Bill 1421 and Assembly Bill 748, both of which relate to the disclosure
of body worn camera footage to the public under the California Public Records Act.
The total cost for the body camera program is $60,625.00 and will include: thirty (30) body
worn cameras, an eight bay docking system, nine (9) police vehicle pairing systems to
sync the in-car and body worn cameras, video redaction software, and a three-year
technology service agreement on the hardware and software. The body worn camera
program is fully funded by a Supplemental Law Enforcement Services Fund (SLESF),
Citizen’s Option for Public Safety (COPS) Grant with no impact to the operating budget
or General Fund. Pricing is based on the State contract award from the Houston-
Galveston Area Council (HGAC) to ensure lowest contractual cost.
Item 8.c. - Page 2
CITY COUNCIL
CONSIDERATION TO PURCHASE BODY WORN CAMERAS FOR THE POLICE
DEPARTMENT
SEPTEMBER 10, 2019
PAGE 3
ALTERNATIVES:
The following alternatives are provided for the Council’s consideration:
1. Approve staff’s recommendations to purchase body worn cameras;
2. Do not approve staff’s recommendations; or
3. Provide direction to staff.
ADVANTAGES:
Approving the recommended action will provide technology in a secure environment that
supports the Police Department operationally and administratively, while enhancing the
ability to best serve the public. Body worn cameras will assist in capturing crucial footage
of an incident while preserving evidence for prosecution or exoneration. Administratively,
body worn camera footage may assist in mitigating false claims against police officers
while also holding them accountable for their actions.
DISADVANTAGES:
No disadvantaged are identified.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
No environmental review is required for this item.
PUBLIC NOTIFICATION AND COMMENTS:
The Agenda was posted at City Hall and on the City’s website in accordance with
Government Code Section 54954.2.
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