DATE:
December 10, 2024
05
TO:
Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT
Title
SHERIFF- REQUEST TO WAIVE BOARD POLICY A-87 AND EXTEND CONTRACTS WITH AXON ENTERPRISE INC FOR BODY-WORN CAMERAS AND TASERS (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Body
OVERVIEW
In today's modern policing landscape, body-worn cameras (BWC) and tasers have emerged as essential tools that enhance and increase safe public interactions with law enforcement, support police accountability, promote transparency, and improve incident outcomes. As law enforcement agencies strive to build trust with the communities they serve, BWCs provide an objective record of interactions, helping to ensure that both law enforcement officers and civilians are held accountable for their actions. Meanwhile, a taser, a handheld electronic device that uses an electric current to temporarily incapacitate a person, serves as a critical tool to help deescalate law enforcement contacts and potential uses of force. Tasers offer a non-lethal alternative for subduing individuals in potentially volatile situations, which allows law enforcement officers to effectively manage confrontations without resorting to deadly force. Together, these technologies not only bolster the integrity of policing practices but also foster a culture of professionalism and accountability.
In 2017, the San Diego Sheriff's Office (Sheriff's Office) conducted an extensive solicitation, successfully awarded the BWC contract to Axon Enterprise Inc. (Axon), and began utilizing BWCs in its patrol operations. In 2022, it deployed the rollout of BWCs in the Sheriff's Office jail setting, expanding the program across the different facilities as infrastructure was implemented to host the devices. In 2005, the Sheriff's Office began procuring tasers from Taser International, Inc (TASER). TASER changed their name to Axon and since 2017, the Sheriff's Office has been utilizing Axon as its vendor for both tasers and BWCs. Law enforcement considers safety, standardization and int...
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