ACTION REQUESTED:
Title
Communication from the City Manager and Chief of Police with a Request to APPROVE and to Authorization the City Manager to Accept the FY 17 BODY-WORN CAMERA POLICY AND IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAM from the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) of the Department of Justice (DOJ), in the Amount of $253,005.00.
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BACKGROUND: In December 2016, the City of Peoria received notification of available funding under the Body-Worn Camera Policy and Implementation Program (PIP). The Department submitted an application in February 2017.
The intent of this grant is to help agencies develop, implement, and evaluate a BWC program as an additional tool which can be utilized as part of a comprehensive problem-solving approach to enhance officer interactions with the public and build community trust. During the first 1-9 months of the 24 month grant program, awarded agencies will review and develop policies and training programs around body-worn cameras with support from a national technical assistance provider to validate the process. Once this is complete, the agencies will be able to purchase and deploy the cameras, while continuing the training efforts and collecting outcome measures to assess the program implementation.
In applying for this grant, the Police Department partnered with Peoria County Sheriff’s Office, Peoria Heights, Bartonville, Chillicothe, East Peoria and the Peoria Park District to purchase 284 cameras, leveraging economies of scale, and sharing resources such as redaction software and storage for an efficient use of taxpayer dollars. The grant requires a 50% match, requiring each agency to contribute funds based on the number of body-worn cameras requested by that agency.
The Peoria and Tazewell County State’s Attorney’s Offices have pledged their support of the BWC program, and will be a resource during the planning phase. Each jurisdiction identified a community partner group with whom they will work to develop appropriate community awareness training, to manage expectations and provide education on citizen’s rights. It is the goal of the program proposal that the deployment of body-worn cameras will further strengthen community relationships and trust through transparency.
As part of the condition of the federal award of $253,005, the City of Peoria and partnering jurisdictions submitted a local match of just over 50%, $256,390. Of this match, the partnering jurisdictions will pay $57,970 for their portion of capital expenditures (equipment and storage). The remaining $198,424 is covered by the City of Peoria. To meet this match obligation, the City will pay $46,971 in capital expenditures (equipment and storage), $6,018 for travel to mandatory conferences, and $145,434 in personnel costs. To handle the volume of anticipated FOIA requests and accompanying redactions, a full time staff person dedicated to this project will be hired and added to the 2018-2019 Biennial Budget at an annual salary of $34,560 plus fringe benefits. The remaining $38,887 personnel and benefit costs match will come from the salary of existing staff who will be taking on extra responsibilities related to the project.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The City of Peoria and the surrounding jurisdictions will receive $253,005 for the implementation of a comprehensive body-worn camera program. The collaborative proposal leveraged cost savings from bulk procurement, shared equipment, infrastructure, storage, and human resources making an otherwise cost prohibitive program affordable for all agencies involved.
NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS: Neighborhoods may be concerned about the impact of body-worn cameras on their privacy and interactions with the police. By partnering with community agencies, the City will provide education and awareness training to alleviate this concern.
IMPACT IF APPROVED: Implementation of BWC will strengthen community relationships and trust and will foster mutual accountability for citizens and police alike. Additionally, communities that have implemented BWC systems, have seen a reduction of citizen complaints and incidents involving use of force.
IMPACT IF DENIED: The City will the not secure the opportunity to implement this technology utilizing the available federal funding. The cost for the cameras and equipment for the City of Peoria alone without the grant would be over $160,000 compared to less than $50,000 with the grant and partnerships.
ALTERNATIVES: There are no alternatives identified at this time.
EEO CERTIFICATION NUMBER: Not applicable for this request.
WHICH OF THE GOALS IDENTIFIED IN THE COUNCIL’S 2016 - 2029 STRATEGIC PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION ADVANCE?
1. Financially Sound City Government, Effective City Organization
2. Not applicable.
WHICH CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR(S) FROM THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION IMPLEMENT?
1. Reduce crime.
2. Have an efficient government.
3. Invest in our infrastructure and transportation.
DEPARTMENT: Police