REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL February 13, 2020 FROM: ANDREW HALL, Chief of Police Police Department BY: MICHAEL REID, Deputy Police Chief Support Division SUBJECT ..Title Actions pertaining to the 2019 Body-Worn Camera grant program, herein referred to as the BWC grant 1. Authorize the Chief of Police to accept $90,000 in grant funding for the BWC grant awarded to the Fresno Police Department from the U.S. Department of Justice, through the Office of Justice Programs Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) 2. ***RESOLUTION - Adopt the 28th amendment to the Annual Appropriation Resolution (AAR) No. 2019-133 appropriating $90,000 for the Police Department's Body-Worn Camera grant program (requires five affirmative votes) (subject to Mayor's veto). ..Body RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that Council authorize acceptance of $90,000 in grant funding from the U.S. Department of Justice, through the Office of Justice Programs Bureau of Justice Assistance, allowing the Chief of Police to enter into and execute the agreement and all required documents, and adopt the 28th Amendment to AAR No 2019-133 to appropriate $90,000 funding into the FY 2020 budget. Funds have been awarded for the 2019 Body-Worn Camera grant program to the Fresno Police Department's Body-Worn Camera Unit within the Internal Affairs Bureau. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The City of Fresno has been awarded grant funds of $90,000 from the U.S. Department of Justice, through the Office of Justice Programs Bureau of Justice Assistance to augment the current number of body-worn cameras within the Fresno Police Department. The grant period is from October 1, 2019 to September 30, 2022. Over the past four years, the Fresno Police Department has used TASER AXON Flex Body Cameras and most recently the TASER AXON Flex II Body Cameras for video along with Evidence.com for encrypted video storage. This system has proven to be reliable and easy to use. Officers, detectives, and local Deputy District Attorneys have been trained in the use of the system. The department currently has 550 body cameras deployed in the field. Although this is very good coverage, the department does not currently own enough body cameras to equip every uniformed officer in the field. A goal of accepting this grant is to close the gap and provide cameras to 30 members of our Special Weapons and Tactics Team and 15 newly hired uniformed officers currently in the field who do not have one. To date, body cameras have proven to be extremely valuable in the gathering of evidence and prosecution of criminal cases. They have additionally become part of the complaint process, and have been an asset in clarifying issues related to officer complaints. Motor units often capture the motorist's violation directly on camera, greatly reducing court time. Deputy District Attorneys have stated they are reaching plea agreements and often shortening court time when body camera video is associated with the case. The grant funds will be used to purchase body cameras for uniformed officers who do not currently have a camera. BACKGROUND Video technology is being utilized by law enforcement agencies at an increasing pace. The Fresno Police Department has remained progressive in its response to this need. Personal body-worn cameras were introduced as a more realistic tool to help capture the "point of view" of the officer. In an era of increased public scrutiny and litigation, body-worn camera systems provide video evidence to capture critical incidents in a manner much closer to the officer's perspective. Video gathered has proven to be invaluable during a criminal investigation, investigations of complaints against police officers, as well as civil litigation matters. This grant also addresses the aging number of Tasers the department currently owns. As part of the current contract with Taser AXON, Tasers will be included in the purchase of a matching number of body-worn cameras. ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS This is not a "project" for the purposes of CEQA, pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378. LOCAL PREFERENCE Local preference was not considered because accepting grant funds does not include a bid or award of a construction or service contract. FISCAL IMPACT The grant provides up to $2,000 per body-worn camera for a total of 45 cameras ($90,000). All other costs associated with the body-worn camera, accessories, storage and mandatory grant related training, totaling $90,368, is included in the City's FY20 budget. The body-worn cameras will be acquired through a 1-year standalone lease-purchase contract with Taser AXON. Expenses will be claimed and reimbursed on a quarterly basis. This funding will enable the Fresno Police Department to complete deployment of body-worn cameras to all uniformed officers in Patrol, Traffic Unit, Canine Unit, Recycling Task Force, Multi-Agency Gang Enforcement Consortium, Student Neighborhood Resource Officers, Student Resource Officers, Adult Compliance Team, Fresno Area Express Officers, and SWAT totaling 595 cameras. Attachment: 28th Annual Appropriations Resolution No. 2019-133 Grant Agreement