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Report regarding a resolution authorizing the use of $136,048.11 of Police Asset Forfeiture Funds to purchase Unmanned Aerial Systems in conjunction with Axon Air (Scott Campbell, Chief of Police)
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RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Staff recommends the City Council adopt a resolution authorizing the use of $136,048.11 of Police Asset Forfeiture Funds for a Purchasing Agreement with Axon Enterprise, Inc., to provide an unmanned aerial systems program for a five-year term.
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BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
An unmanned aerial system (UAS), often referred to as a drone, is an aircraft which is controlled remotely from the ground. UAS may be used to provide an aerial observation platform to enhance the efficiency and safety of police operations. The ability to provide this aerial view can enhance officer safety without placing additional officers at risk while increasing public safety and aid in the apprehension of suspected criminals. The utilization of a UAS during an area search can also dramatically reduce the time needed to search the area, reducing the drain on resources, and minimizing the impact on the public. The uses of UAS include, but are not limited to, scene documentation, area searches for people and/or evidence, disaster response, tactical operations, and critical incident management.
Drone technology has improved significantly over the last several years, making the use of this equipment an increasingly essential part of law enforcement operations. Over the past year, the Police Department has requested assistance from outside agencies 30 times, 27 of which were requests for UAS assistance. The Police Department wishes to implement a UAS program, and has identified Axon Enterprise, Inc., as providing a comprehensive solution which is the best fit for our agency.
Axon Air, a division of Axon Enterprise, Inc., is a UAS program built for law enforcement. The system includes automated tracking of pilot, aircraft, flight logs, and live streaming for situational awareness, which increases opportunities for de-escalation. The use of Axon Air will allow for integration with the Police Department’s other Axon camera systems. All video evidence recorded will upload to Axon’s Evidence.com and can easily be transmitted for discovery purposes. The integration of video storage from Body Worn Cameras, In-Car Cameras, and UAS provides a time efficient and cost-effective solution for data storage.
All UAS operations are conducted by personnel who have received the required training and certification. Flights are approved in advance by the UAS Commander and Pilot, who ensures compliance with Department policy as well as Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) flight restrictions. A top concern with any UAS program is privacy. During the flight, the remote pilot takes all steps to ensure the camera is focused on the areas necessary for the mission and refrain from the collection of data concerning uninvolved persons or places. The FAA and South San Francisco Police Department (SSFPD) have strict rules and regulations as to when, where, how, and why a UAS operation is permitted. The UAS are not equipped with any weapons.
Authorizing the SSFPD to utilize the Police Asset Forfeiture Funds for this purpose will equip the department with the following:
• Two Mavic 3T UAS systems for outdoor operations.
• One Mavic 30T UAS system for extended outdoor operations (resistant to inclement weather).
• Eleven Avata indoor drones for interior operations only, which will be distributed to each patrol team and SWAT team. Interior operations provide additional equipment challenges to include placing a stationary UAS in one location to provide visual of an area while an additional UAS can continue searching the interior. The potential for the suspect to damage the interior UAS is also greater during these operations.
• An end-to-end solution for collecting and recording pilot data, flight data, and digital media evidence collection and storage.
Authorizing the SSFPD to utilize the Police Asset Forfeiture Funds for this purpose will incorporate a 5-year contract with Axon Air, which will consolidate operations of the UAS equipment onto one platform, and provide the necessary systems, software, licenses, maintenance, hardware, training, and related services for a comprehensive public safety UAS program.
FISCAL IMPACT
The funding from this purchase comes solely from Police Asset Forfeiture Funds. There is no impact to the General Fund.
RELATIONSHIP TO STRATEGIC PLAN
Acceptance of this meets Strategic Goal #3: Public Safety by rendering skilled police, fire, and emergency service management.
CONCLUSION
Adoption of this resolution authorizes the use of $136,048.11 of Police Asset Forfeiture Funds to purchase Unmanned Aerial Systems in conjunction with Axon Air.