• The City of Vancouver started a police camera project in the fall of 2020, and we are on track to begin implementation shortly.
• In August 2022, the City of Vancouver completed field testing and evaluation and Axon was selected as the preferred vendor based on positive feedback and final RFP committee scoring.
• City staff have negotiated a contract with Axon for police cameras and associated equipment, subject to Council approval.
• Staff have also identified an opportunity to secure upgraded conducted energy devices (Tasers) at a greatly reduced price.

Goal 2: Provide effective, innovative, and well-resourced police, fire, and emergency medical services

Establishing a police camera program was identified as a top priority by the Community Task Force on Policing, which addressed key policies and operational changes for the VPD. The outcomes of this strategic process continue to guide the development of operational policies and expectations, which led to a formal procurement process that is now nearing completion.

Field testing and evaluation (T&E) of Axon police cameras took place in July - August 2022. During the T&E, five officers wore body worn cameras and five police vehicles were installed with Axon camera systems. Staff from VPD, Information Technology, VPD Records, and City Law evaluated Evidence.com, which is Axon’s system for storing, managing, and redacting police videos. The RFP committee received positive feedback from personnel who tested the camera systems and software. After committee members scored vendor proposals and a successful T&E was completed, Axon was selected as the City’s preferred police camera system vendor.

The City and Axon have negotiated a contract for the police camera systems. The vendor contract cost of implementing a new police camera system is $5,479,802.65 over five years, with an option to renew, which includes the following:

• Body worn cameras and accessories for officers;
• New state-of-the-art tasers and training modules;
• Fleet cameras will equip each vehicle with an automated license plate reader (ALPR), a forward-facing camera, back seat camera, and associated activating systems;
• Interview room recording systems for East and West Precincts; and
• Software and storage services.

In addition to the City’s intended procurement of a new, state-of-the-art camera system, staff have identified an opportunity to leverage its procurement of cameras from Axon to secure upgraded conducted energy devices (Tasers) at a greatly reduced price. If approved, the upgraded Taser X7 would enhance both community safety as well as police transparency by (1) providing a means for hands-free remote activation of police body cameras, (2) providing officers with increased functionality over the current Taser X26, thereby increasing the likelihood that officers can resolve violent encounters without the need for more severe modalities of force.

Implementing a police camera system will help to demonstrate responsiveness to community priorities and enhance public safety. If approved, the proposed contract will provide the City of Vancouver with a police camera system that will help to:

• Provide a professional level of service that is consistent with community expectations and industry best practices.
• Increase operational transparency by providing digital evidence for criminal investigations, court proceedings, civil uses, and more.
• Improve community trust and accountability in policing.