TITLE
Consider a memorandum/resolution authorizing the acceptance of the Body Worn Camera Grant through the Office of the Governor, Criminal Justice Division, and for the Police Department to purchase a Body Worn Camera System from COBAN Technologies, Inc.
SUMMARY
DATE: August 21, 2018
TO: Ronald L. Olson, City Manager
FROM: Charles F. Kimble, Chief of Police
SUBJECT: Acceptance of Grant Funds and Purchase of Body Worn Camera System
BACKGROUND AND FINDINGS:
The Killeen Police Department wants to implement a Body Worn Camera (BWC) program. BWC provides a level of accountability and transparency that is currently unavailable for our department. The oversight provided by the cameras will improve community trust and support as well as protect the officers and department from unfounded complaints.
The department has evaluated BWC systems from different vendors and has selected the BWC System from COBAN Technologies, Inc. The COBAN system offered the best combination of features, cost and integration with current COBAN in-car systems in use by approximately one half of the department’s marked fleet. COBAN is the manufacturer and sole-source provider of the BWC system and provides agency pricing through various purchasing cooperatives including the Houston-Galveston Area Council.
The department has been planning for the implementation of BWC since 2015 by setting aside $116,552 in Edward Byrne Jag Grant funds from 2015, 2016, and 2017. Earlier this year, a grant opportunity from the Office of the Governor, Criminal Justice Division (CJD) became available. The department applied for and was awarded $145,600.00 in grant funding with a 20% City match requirement. The $36,400 City match will be met by utilizing department forfeiture funds. The department must maintain the system for three years under the terms of the CJD Grant.
As required by the CJD Grant, the department has conferred with the Bell County District Attorney’s Office re...
Click here for full text