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BACKGROUND <br />The police department adopted use of conducted energy devices in 2004 with the <br />purchase of Axon Tasers. In 2014, the Tasers were upgraded to the X26P model. In <br />2015, the police department entered into a contract with Axon to provide body worn <br />cameras and digital evidence storage through Axon's Evidence.com service. Axon has <br />ceased production of the currently issued Taser X26P. The Taser 7 is the newest model <br />which offers features that improve effectiveness and accountability of use and better <br />integration with the body worn cameras. The new Axon Body 3 cameras offer enhanced <br />video features, automatic activation during emergencies and automated tagging of <br />videos for easier retrieval for evidentiary and auditing purposes. <br />Axon provides its Tasers, body worn camera system, evidence retention software, <br />training and supporting software in a package which includes support, replacement and <br />maintenance for five years. <br />DISCUSSION <br />In 2004, the police department purchased Tasers for uniformed patrol officers. Taser is <br />a brand of conducted energy device manufactured and sold by Axon Industries, Inc. A <br />CED uses high voltage but low amperage electricity to temporarily incapacitate a <br />resisting suspect and provide an opportunity to place the suspect in handcuffs. The <br />purpose of a CED is to provide an additional tool so officers may avoid resorting to <br />higher levels of force. <br />In 2015, the police department reviewed several brands of cameras and determined <br />Axon's was the most suitable and comprehensive solution for video evidence and <br />quality. The police department purchased Axon cameras and required officers to wear <br />and activate the cameras during interactions with the public. The police department also <br />entered into a contract with Axon to use their digital evidence storage service known as <br />Evidence.com to store the video files. Evidence.com allows video evidence to be <br />automatically uploaded to a secure server at the end of an officer's shift. The data can <br />be labeled and securely shared with supervisors, investigators, and prosecutors while <br />leaving an audit trail of who views each video. <br />In 2019, Axon released the Axon Body 3, an upgraded body worn camera with <br />significant performance improvements and wireless features designed to enhance both <br />officer safety and supervisor video footage review. Axon also announced the <br />discontinuation of the Taser X26P as it was made obsolete by the Taser 7. The Body 3 <br />camera, the Taser 7 and Axon's software solutions interact seamlessly and are now <br />provided as a service package which also incorporates ongoing software licensing, <br />training and maintenance. <br />Taser 7 <br />The police department currently uses the Axon X26P as its conducted energy device. <br />Tasers are loaded with single -use cartridges which, when deployed, launch two probes <br />designed to attach to a suspect's skin. The probes are attached to the Taser with thin, <br />conductive wires. When both probes connect with a suspect's skin, an electrical circuit <br />is completed and a low amperage current is discharged for five seconds. If one or both <br />Page 2 of 8 <br />