R2019-194 Resolution Authorizing the Purchase of Body Worn Camera System Equipment, Software and Services for the Decatur Police Department

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STAFF REPORT To: Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe City Council Members City Manager Scot Wrighton From: Chief James E. Getz Subject: Purchase of a Body Camera System BRIEFING ITEM RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve by resolution the expenditure of$309, 220.00 for the purchase of body worn cameras (BWC),body worn camera supporting equipment, in-car camera systems, software and maintenance agreements through the Panasonic vendor, CDS Office Technologies. BACKGROUND: The City of Decatur Police Department has recognized the need for and value of Body-Worn cameras in Law Enforcement to capture accurate audio and video evidence as well as to accurately depict police contact with citizens. The body worn cameras offers even more transparency in a time when this has been demanded by citizens. The Decatur Police Department researched different BWC vendors and in March 2019 began a trial to test and evaluate the Panasonic brand BWC. The Decatur Police Department has utilized the Panasonic in-car camera systems for approximately 15 years. The in-car camera systems have been durable for recording incidents, but also for the storage of electronic evidence. The proposed BWC's work together with the in-car camera system and would allow for the continued storage of future and past electronic evidence.Many of our current in-car camera systems are dated and must be updated to high definition cameras to maximize their efficiency with the recommended BWC. During the trial,the Panasonic BWC product performed to our expectations and we were extremely satisfied with the results.Many citizen complaints were investigated by using the BWC.Evidence was also recorded on the BWC to include suspects discarding illegal firearms as they were running from police. There were only 8 officers using the BWC during the trial,thus we expect a full roll out to the department to capture even more evidences of this type. Many of our neighboring police departments have already transitioned to the use of BWC. These cities include Springfield,Bloomington, Champaign, and Urbana. Future electronic storage content will increase with the use of body cameras as we will store this evidence based on the State Body Camera Act and Legislation as it pertains to the retention laws. The IT Department has received an estimate of approximately$100,000 for the additional