Cape Council to consider equipment upgrades for CCPD

Feb 28, 2023 By VALARIE HARRING 3 min read

The Cape Coral Police Department is looking to beef up its on-the-street technology by entering into a 10-year, $13.5 million contract for body and fleet cameras, drones, Tasers and related equipment.

The department proposes to combine its current contracts for such equipment into a new agreement with Axon Enterprise. The contract would add users and provide for additional and upgraded equipment.

The benefits would be two-fold, Police Chief Anthony Sizemore said in Feb. 3 memo that is part of today’s Cape Coral City Council agenda packet:

First, the cameras and enhanced officer safety plan would provide the department with the “newest tools in public safety transparency” including more detailed recordings; safer electrical weapons that are more effective and reduce the risk of long-term injury if deployed; and airborne drones to provide immediate information in high-risk situations.

Second, the cost would be mitigated as the agreement would lock in discounted pricing at Axon’s 2021 cost schedule for an additional 10 years.

The first payment would be $1,187,690.47 with slightly varying annual payments thereafter until 2032. The total contract cost is $13,463,764.69.

The agreement is part of Council’s consent agenda. Consent items pass without discussion unless a member of the elected board moves to pull it for more information or debate. The agreement, if approved, would go into effect in October.

The CCPD currently deploys 234 body-worn cameras and related equipment through five separate multi-year agreements with Axon Enterprise, the memo states.

The new Axon agreement would “provide the department with the newest tools in public safety transparency and organizational excellence. The improved features of the camera system will capture more details of incidents involving CCPD officers, which translates into a higher quality of service, more effective training, and an improved commitment to transparency in the department’s efforts to serve the community. The newest Taser system improves efficacy and reduces the risk of long-term injury if deployed on a subject. The workflow improvements through software tools in this product will save resources for officers and professional staff through auto-transcription software and automation of repetitive digital workflow processes in managing video/audio evidence,” the memo states.

The incorporation of the Unpiloted Aircraft System, or Drones, would …”improve the department’s ability to deploy scalable airborne situational awareness tools during high liability operations. The UAS platforms will be able to provide real-time video to UAS operators and ICS leadership to allow for timely decision-making and assist in risk mitigation and improved safety in the community.”

The council meeting begins at 4:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 1015 Cultural Park Blvd.

All meetings are open to the public.

Residents who have input but cannot attend may submit E-comments to https://www.capecoral.gov/department/clerk/ecomments.php

For City Council Meeting items, E-comments must be received by noon on the day of the meeting. Any comments received after noon on the day of the meeting will be applied and distributed to Council at their next scheduled meeting.

To reach VALARIE HARRING, please email vharring@breezenewspapers.com