DEPARTMENT: SAPD
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Anthony L. Treviño (Interim Police Chief)
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUMMARY:
The San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) is seeking City Council approval for an ordinance authorizing the submission of a grant application, and acceptance of funds upon award. The Body-Worn Camera (BWC) Pilot Implementation Program (PIP) FY 2015 Competitive Grant Solicitation comes from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs (OJP), Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) and will not exceed $1,200,000.
The FY 2015 BWC PIP objective is to support the implementation of body-worn camera programs in law enforcement agencies. The intent of the program is to help develop, implement, and evaluate a BWC program as one tool in a law enforcement comprehensive problem-solving approach to enhance officer interactions with the public and build community trust. This grant is a two year program beginning on or about October 1, 2015 through September 30, 2017. There is a fifty percent in-kind or cash match for the grant. The total program cost is $2,400,000 of which the City will have to match 50% or $1,200,000 in in-kind or cash.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The SAPD initiated its Body Camera pilot program in March of 2014. During the pilot program the SAPD selected six different models of body worn cameras based on studies conducted by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Each vendor provided twenty-five units which were tested by officers from the Downtown Bike Unit and the Westside Patrol Substation. The pilot was designed to gather data on the technology's effects on citizen and police behavior/accountability, evidentiary value, operation feasibility, program costs, compatibility with the in-car video system, and other factors.
The pilot program focused on four main issues/priorities while testing the various systems:
1. Ease of usability for the officers
2. Capabilities/durability of the units
3. Storage and management of video
4. Support personnel needed to support the program
Based on the results of the SAPD Body camera Pilot Program the Department developed and released a Request for Competitive Sealed Proposals (RFCSP). There were nine (9) responses to the RFCSP which are currently being evaluated and scored in order to select a vendor for body cameras for the Department. The final selection is anticipated to go before City Council on or about October 1, 2015.
The BWC-PIP Grant will assist the Department in commencing the implementation phase for body worn cameras by providing funds to purchase cameras and associated equipment.
Under this grant the SAPD will:
· Purchase approximately 1,030 cameras from the selected vendor
· Focus on the purchase costs, deployment, maintenance of camera systems and equipment, data storage and access, and privacy considerations of the program
· Coordinate with the Bexar County District Attorney regarding policy and evidence retention and transfer of video evidence issues
· Coordinate/work with citizen groups to promote transparency of the program
· Develop a training plan and schedule to ensure all officers will be trained
· Obtain baseline numbers of use of force, and complaints against officers, for selected units to assist in measuring the effects on police/citizen interactions
The total program cost is $2,400,000.00 million of which the City will have to match 50% or $1,200,000.00 million in-kind or Cash. The City's $1,200,000.00 million match is contingent upon City Council approval as part of the FY2016 Budget. The City's match will be a combination of additional staff to support the Body Camera project and a cash match.
The current rollout plan starts with Phase I in FY2016 with 251 cameras for Downtown Foot/Bike Patrol and Park Police. Once that phase is completed and the infrastructure is in place and functioning smoothly, Phase II will begin. Starting in late FY2016 and continuing in FY2017, Phase II includes deployment of an additional 1,283 cameras in the Patrol Division. Phase III is currently planned to start in FY2018 and beyond and will include an additional 655 cameras to finish off deployment in the Patrol Division and rollout to Traffic as well as specialized units and investigative units.
ISSUE:
This ordinance continues City Council's policy of seeking intergovernmental financial assistance for City crime prevention and law enforcement programs.
ALTERNATIVES:
In the absence of grant funding, SAPD will continue to seek out opportunities to fund the purchase, deployment, and support of body cameras with General Fund monies.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The proposed program includes the addition of staff to support the Body Camera project. The positions will be one (1) Senior Management Analyst, six (6) Video Librarians/Paralegals and one (1) Client Service Technician. The projected cost for these positions in FY2016 (from January 1, 2016 through September 30, 2016) is $395,952.00; the projected costs for FY2017 are $457,043.00. The positions will provide $852,995.00 in match with the remaining $347,005.00 in matching funds being a Cash Match. Additionally, if approved, the mid-year budget adjustment of $320,000 for body cameras could be included in the Cash Match portion of the grant. The positions and Cash Match are dependent upon approval in the FY2016 Budget Process.
This ordinance would authorize a program budget not to exceed $2,400,000 which includes $1,200,000 in grant funds and $1,200,000 of In-Kind and/or Cash Match, with the match coming from the positions added to manage the program as well as Cash Match from the General Fund. Acceptance of the grant will be dependent upon final approval of matching funds.
RECOMMENDATION:
SAPD recommends forwarding this issue to City Council for approval of the grant application and acceptance upon award. This approval will help enhance efforts to build trust in the community by providing greater transparency as well as provide for more accurate evidence in criminal cases.