HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-10-17 City Commission Packet Materials - C5. JAG Grant for Tasers and Accessories
Commission Memorandum
REPORT TO: Honorable Mayor and City Commission
FROM: Rich McLane, Deputy Chief of Police Chuck Winn, Acting City Manager SUBJECT: Grant application to purchase 5 Tasers and related accessories. MEETING DATE: April 10, 2017
AGENDA ITEM TYPE: Consent
RECOMMENDATION: Approve Justice Assistance Grant Application for Bureau of Justice Assistance Project for $6,200 to purchase 5 Tasers and accessories.
BACKGROUND: In March 2017, the Montana Board of Crime Control released a Request for
Proposals for funds allowable under Justice Assistance Grant program. The use of JAG funds will support projects within the Bozeman Police Department that improves the effectiveness of our systems and enhance the safety of our officers and community. A brief
project narrative is attached.
FISCAL EFFECTS: Approval of this proposal will have no adverse impacts on the current Police Department budget. Matching funds are not required by the funding agency.
ALTERNATIVES: As suggested by the City Commission.
Attachments:
Project Narrative
Report compiled March 16, 2017
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REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL – MONTANA BOARD OF CRIME CONTROL RFP 17-10 (G) – CITY OF BOZEMAN – PROJECT NARRATIVE PROJECT TITLE: Obtain conducted electrical weapons for the City of Bozeman Police Department.
EXECUTION SUMMARY: The City of Bozeman is requesting $6,200 from the Montana Board of Crime Control – Request for Proposal 17-10 under the Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program, Purpose Areas Program. This $6,200 request is for the purchase of five (5) conducted electrical weapons (“Tasers”), including battery and holster. With an overall goal of enhanced safety for officers and citizens, the objectives include ensuring all officers have a current and functional taser as a less lethal option; all Tasers purchased include a battery and holster for full functionality and ability to carry; and the deployment and use of the Tasers are in accordance with best practices and department policy.
BUDGET DETAIL/NARRATIVE: The purchase of 5 X2 conducted electrical weapons (tasers) includes a Tactical Performance Power Magazine (TPPM) which is a lithium energy cell power supply system for the Taser and a holster for carrying. In-kind matches for cartridges (both training and field use) as well as time spent training will be provided by the City of Bozeman.
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Taser Cost: $1,105 each $5,525 total TPPM (power supply) $ 60 each $ 300 total Holster $ 75 each $ 375 total Training (5 officers X 2 hours each X $40/hour $ 400 total Instructor hours (1 officer X 2 hours X $40/hour $ 80 total Total Cost $6,680 total (less in-kind match for officer training costs) ($480)
Total request: $6,200
NEEDS STATEMENT: Tasers are used to control dangerous and/or violent persons when appropriate and their use are frequently an alternative to lethal force. Tasers have been carried by all City officers for approximately 13 years. Although the accepted life of a Taser is five (5) years, the City currently has eighteen (18) in use beyond five (5) years, many of which intermittently fail to operate correctly. The purchase of Tasers would assist in ensuring officers have functional Tasers. The purchase of these conducted electrical weapons would greatly contribute to citizen and officer safety. The officers of the Bozeman Police Department find themselves using force above that of verbal skills or physical presence on average 184 times per year over the past 3 years. All of these have been less lethal force that has controlled combative subjects.
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On average a Taser is used by an officer (or displayed to be used) 35 times per year. Having less lethal tools that provide officers with options besides lethal force is an important and vital safety tool for officers and the community. All officers that carry a Taser receive an initial 6-hour block of training and a refresher of 2 hours every year. Officers that receive these tasers will have either the initial 6 hours training if these are issued to a newly hired officer or the refresher training of 2 hours done. X2 Tasers are already issued to most of our officers and have been successfully implemented as part of our overall response to policing. This project improves and enhances the JAG Program areas of Law Enforcement Programs and Technology Improvement programs will be to be completed within one-year of funding award.
GOALS: Enhance safety for officers and citizens with current, fully functional Tasers supported by training and overall policy guidance.
OBJECTIVES:
OBJECTIVE 1: Purchase and issue 5 additional Tasers to replace expired or non-functional Tasers already owned by the department. We anticipate this being done within 90 days of grant award.
OBJECTIVE 2: Purchase and issue 5 TPPM (power supply) with each new Taser. This will also be done within 90 days of grant award.
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OBJECTIVE 3: Ensure anyone receiving a new Taser has had, or will complete, 2-6 hours of training that covers use and department policy regarding Tasers. In many cases an officer will have already had this training on the Taser upon purchase and issue of a replacement Taser. In the case of a new hire officer, we anticipate hiring 3-5 officers between August 2017 and April 2018, all of which will get a 6 hour training course completed prior to issuance of the Taser.
IMPLEMENTATION PLAN: Purchase of 5 X2 Tasers, 5 BPPM and 5 holsters: NLT August 1, 2017 Training as previously indicated. Anticipate new officer training conducted in September 2017 and again likely in March 2018. Any related refresher training for these particular purchases will occur in February 2018.
EVALUATION PLAN: Review initially with Taser instructors and training officer to ensure newly purchased X2 Tasers and TPPM are fully functional and holsters are appropriate for wear. Ensure specific dates for training are planned for and ultimately executed by April 2018. Verify with users once issued a Taser of any successes or failures of the new Taser in April 2018.
SUSTAINMENT PLAN: The remaining X2’s needed and continued maintenance and/or repair needs are part of our annual budget, with a goal of having all expired Tasers replaced by April 2019 through general fund allocations.
COLLABORATION:
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The use of JAG funds to purchase Tasers help provide less lethal tools that enhance officer and public safety. Public notice will be given on applying for and when receiving this grant, providing feedback to the public of the safety aspects and benefits of partnerships with the state. Tasers are also part of our Citizen Police academy, neighborhood group presentations and instruction opportunities at our local schools and College.
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