HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Funding for Body-Worn Cameras for Police Department RESOLUTION NO. 18-051
RESOLUTION APPROVING ACQUISITION PHASE OF BODY-WORN CAMERAS FOR
POLICE DEPARTMENT
FOR THE CITY OF AMES
WHEREAS,body-worncameras were originallyproposed forpurchase inthe FY 2017/18 budget
approved by the City Council; at that time, camera technology was changing quickly in response to user
dissatisfaction and failures in the field; and,
WHEREAS, the Police Department assembled an internal study committee to evaluate cameras,
storage and reproduction technology, and policy issues; and,
WHEREAS,this conunittee met over a period of 18 months,meeting with vendors,testing camera
systems, and evaluating policy and practice, and, during that time, camera technology advanced
considerably; and,
WHEREAS, after testing several generations of the leading camera systems,experience suggests
that the current camera systems have matured in their reliability and performance; and,
WHEREAS,this has also allowed officers to gain experience with body worn cameras in the field,
and this experience has served as a reminder that the police response to a call is a complex, multi faceted
event for the officer; and,
WHEREAS,body-worn camera policies are becoming increasingly similar as police agencies gain
more experience with this technology, and the Ames Police Department policy will be based on a model
policy from the International Association of Chiefs of Police; and,
WHEREAS, the cameras were originally requested as part of the FY 2017/18 budget process;
based on the information the Police Department obtained from two possible vendors, it appears that the
$64,000 that was allocated for the cameras will be sufficient; and,
WHEREAS, in addition, $25,000 was allocated for maintenance, storage, and related support
costs; staff has learned that these ongoing costs will be approximately$12,000 per year if a four-year
agreement is approved.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council ofthe City of Ames, Iowa, that
authorization for staff to proceed with the acquisition phase ofthe body-worn camera project using funds
carried over to this year's budget is hereby approved.
ADOPTED THIS 23d day of January, 2018.
Diane R Voss, City Clerk John A. Haila, Mayor
Introduced by: Betcher
Seconded by: Gartin
Voting aye: Beatty-Hansen, Betcher, Gartin, Martin,Nelson
Voting nay: None Absent: Corrieri
Resokrtion declared adopted and signed by the Mayor this 23'd day of January, 2018.