ACTION REQUESTED:
Title
Communication from the City Manager and Chief of Police with a Request to APPROVE the PURCHASE of Twenty (20) Panasonic Toughbook FZ-55 Laptop Computers, Twenty (20) Extended Warranties for Panasonic Toughbooks, and Twenty (20) Havis Toughbook 55 Docking Stations and Mounts with Combination Antennae for Use in Police Squad Cars, from CDS OFFICE TECHNOLOGIES, in the Amount of $91,440.00.
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BACKGROUND:
On March 13th, 2020 the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) released the FY2020 Strategies for Policing Innovation (SPI) Competitive Grant Solicitation. The City of Peoria Department applied under the purpose area of this program for funding of technology-driven justice information sharing solutions in response to a precipitous increase in violent crime and homicides. It is for this purpose which the Police Department seeks to leverage federal funds for the purchase of technology-driven solutions and improvements that incorporate data sharing at a local level across multiple platforms, under the proposed Peoria Police Department Data Sharing Initiative. In November 2020 the City of Peoria was notified of its award of $516,123.00 in federal funds to support the Peoria Police Department Data Sharing Initiative. With these funds the City of Peoria will upgrade Police Department information technology systems that are in need, including in car Mobile Data Terminals (MDTs) which are overdue for replacement and out of warranty, purchase ShotSpotter Investigate software to give detectives the tools they need to capture, track, and collaborate on gun crime investigations as well as address the software needs of the Police Department’s Focused Deterrence Program.
The Peoria Police Department uses Panasonic Toughbook laptop computers for everyday use in our marked and unmarked fleet. Temperature extremes, normal use wear and tear, and extended life usage have resulted in the majority of the MDTs malfunctioning due to old age. Many of the computers in use have been repaired by parting out older models. Under the SPI Grant, the City will utilize SPI Grant funding to purchase Twenty (20) MDT’s per year for the 3 year life of the grant. Following the life of the grant, the City will budget for Twenty (20) MDT’s and related hardware per year, effectively keeping all in service MDTs under warranty and replacing Twenty (20) MDTs per year as they fall out of warranty. CDS Office Technologies holds the statewide computer master contract
In-car laptops are an integral and critical part of an officer’s equipment and to maintain an efficient patrol operation requires a reliable laptop supported by a current operating system that is further supported by the manufacturer. The myriad of software programs relied on by officers in the field has increased over the past years. Our fleet of older laptops are not effective at collectively running the technology those programs provide. Some of those programs include: MDT Force, Map Force, Write Force, Accident Reporting, GPS/AVL, E-ticketing, IWIN, AFIX fingerprinting identification system and ShotSpotter.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: Funding for this purchase would come from General Fund account # 1012133-505999 - Police Technical Services Capital Other
NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS: N/A
IMPACT IF APPROVED: The Peoria Police Department will continue to provide the necessary technology required for today’s modern patrol environment.
IMPACT IF DENIED: The Peoria Police Department would continue to respond to calls for service and utilize the current laptop computers.
ALTERNATIVES: N/A
EEO CERTIFICATION NUMBER: 00011-150331
WHICH OF THE GOALS IDENTIFIED IN THE COUNCIL’S 2014 - 2029 STRATEGIC PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION ADVANCE?
1. Financially Sound City Government, Effective City Organization
WHICH CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR(S) FROM THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION IMPLEMENT?
1. Reduce crime.
2. Have an efficient government.
DEPARTMENT: Police