R7C-Accept Recommendation Purchase Additional Conducted Electronic WeaponsCOMMISSION ITEM SUMMARY
Condensed Title:
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH,
FLORIDA, ACCEPTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE CITY MANAGER TO PURCHASE
ADDITIONAL CONDUCTED ELECTRONTC WEAPONS AND OTHER ACCESSORIES (THE
"EQUIPMENT") FROM TASER INTERNAT|ONAL, tNC., lN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $519,230,
PREVIOUSLY APPROVED AS ASOLE SOURCE PURCHASE PURSUANT TO RESOLUTION 2014.
28726, AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY ADMINISTRATION TO NEGOTIATE AN AGREEMENT WITH
TASER INTERNATIONAL, INC., FOR THE PURCHASE OF THE EQUIPMENT; AND FURTHER
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THAT AGREEMENT WITH TASER
TNTERNATTONAL tNC., WHTCH SHALL DEFER PAYMENT OF THE EQUTPMENT OVER A FIVE (5)
YEAR PERIOD, UPON CONCLUSION OF SUCCESSFUL NEGOTIATIONS.
lnsist on Police and Skilled Manaqement Leadersh
lssue:
Should the Administration adopt the Resolution?
Item Summary/Recommendation:
AGENDA rrem fl7C
Since 2003, the Miami Beach Police Department has utilized the Taser weapons system as one tool in use
of force encounters. There is ample research to support the effectiveness of this technology in reducing
injuries and deaths to police officers and citizens. ln effect, the Taser has become a very effective device to
gain compliance when force is necessary to physically detain a subject.
Unfortunately, the model originally purchased by the Department, the Taser X-26 Electronic Control
Weapon (ECW), has reached the end of its service life and as of December 31, 2014, Taser lnternational
will no longer manufacture or maintain it. ln preparation, two years ago the department began a transition
phase to a new Taser Smart-weapon, the X-2, and has been pleased with the product.
The X-2 ECW is a significant upgrade from the Taser X-26 in both technology and safety. This is a critically
important factor from the perspective of community relations and public perception. ln this same spirit, the
new model now includes a variety of features that will aid in the Department's ability to deploy a more
effective, less lethal weapon. ln short, the X-2 model contains the latest technology in ECWs and uses less
energy to produce the same neuromuscular incapacitation.
Obviously the cost of upgrading and outfitting all patrol officers with the new unit presents some fiscal
challenges. However, in late 2014, Taser lnternational began a program that allows agencies to upgrade
from the X-26 through a speciflc financing agreement. By using funding that is currently budgeted as a
down payrnent, the Department can replace all ECW's irnmediately.
After the initial down payment of $187,000, the financing program will require four subsequent, annual
payments of $83,000. The agreement includes all new Taser X-2 ECWs with corresponding holsters,
batteries and cartridges needed for training and deployment. Additionally, the financing agreement ensures
the current pricing for the duration of the five year agreement and includes a five year extended warrantyfor
allthe ECWs.
The Departrnent will need a totat of 345 ECW's to fully equip all sworn personnel, including Reserve
Officers. This will also provide for a small inventory of ECW's as spares and replacements when units
require service. lt should also be noted that the financing agreement, as proposed byTaser, would replace
all 55 of our previously purchased black X-2 ECWs and all new X-2s purchases with the yellow-colored
version, allowing immediate identification of the device as an ECW and not a firearm.
Essentially for the cost of slightly more than what is normally budget annually for Taser maintenance, the
ent can reolace all The onlv additional cost isTaser X-26s with a newer, safer
MIAMIBEACH DATE ,./q-I
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that of replacement batteries and cartridges for the ECWs.
CONCLUSION
As a Police Department, it is crucially important that officers have access to tools that protect them in the
course of their duties. However, another equally critical element includes safeguarding the health and
safety of those we serye, including those we have to arrest or detain. lt is my belief that the deployment of
the new Taser technologywill provide an appropriate balance to protect both the officer and the community
from unexpected tragedy or unintended consequences.
RECOMMENDATION
The Administration recommends that the Mayor and City Commission of the City of Miami Beach, Florida
approve the City Manager's recommendation to purchase additional conducted electronic weapons and
accessories (the "Equipment'), from Taser lnternational lnc., in the total amount of $519,230, previously
approved as a sole source purchase pursuant to Resolution No.20'14-28726, and authorizing the City
Adminishation to negotiate an agreement with Taser lnternational, lnc., for the purchase of the equipment;
and further authorizing the City Manager to execute that agreement with Taser lnternational lnc., which
shall defer payment of the equipment over a five (5) year period, upon conclusion of successful
Financial lnformation:
Source of
fr;,i,',@
Amount Account
:l $187.000 01 1-1 1 30-000325
Total $187,000
F i n a n cial lm-pact S u m m ary:
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MIAMIBEACH
Cify of lliomi Beoch, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miomi Beoch, Florido 33139, m.miomibeochfl.gov
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO:
FROM
Mayor Philip Levine and Members
Jimmy L. Morales, City Manager ,
the City
DATE: January 14,2415
SUBJECT: A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF
THE CIry OF MIAMI BEACH,'FLORIDA, ACCEPTING THE
RECOMMENDATION OF THE CITY MANAGER TO
PURCHASE ADDITIONAL CONDUCTED ELECTRONIC
WEAPONS AND OTHER ACCESSORIES (THE "EQUIPMENT)
FROM TASER INTERNATIONAL, INC. IN THE TOTAL
AMOUNT OF $519,230, PREVIOUSLY APPROVED AS A SOLE
SOURCE PURCHASE PURSUANT TO RESOLUTION 2014.
28726, AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY ADMINISTMTION TO
NEGOTIATE AN AGREEMENT WITH TASER
INTERNATIONAL, INC. FOR THE PURCHASE OF THE
EQUIPMENT; AND FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO EXECUTE THAT AGREEMENT WITH TASER
INTERNATIONAL WHICH SHALL DEFER PAYMENT OF THE
EQUIPMENT OVER A 5 YEAR PERIOD, UPON CONCLUSION
OF SUCCESSFUL NEGOTIATIONS.
ADMINISTRATION RECOilITTIENDATION
Adopt the Resolution
ANALYSIS
Since 2003, the Miami Beach Police Department has utilized the Taser weapons
system as one tool in use-of-force encounters. The leading thinking and best
practice in American policing continues to be that these weapons are a
compassionate less-lethal-force option. The vast majority of larger police
departments issue them to patrol officers. There is ample research to support the
effectiveness of this technology in reducing injuries and deaths to police officers and
citizens. The Taser is an effective device to gain compliance when force is
necessary to physically detain a subject.
The model originally purchased by the Department, the Taser X-26 Electronic
Control Weapon (ECW), has reached the end of its service life. As of December 31 ,
2014, Taser lnternational no longer manufactures or maintains it. ln preparation,
two years ago the Department began a transition phase to a newer Taser Smart-
464
weapon, the X-2, and has been pleased with the product.
The X-2 ECW is a significant upgrade from the Taser X-26 in both technology and
safety. This is an important factor from the perspective of community relations and
public perception. The new model now includes a variety of features that will aid in
the Department's ability to deploy a more effective, less lethal weapon. ln short, the
X-2 model contains the latest technology in ECWs and uses less energy to produce
the same neuromuscular incapacitation.
The cost of upgrading and outfitting all patrol officers with the new unit presents
some fiscalchallenges. However, in late 2014,Taser lnternationalbegan a program
that allows agencies to upgrade from the X-26 through a specific financing
agreement. By using funding that is currently budgeted as a down payment, the
Department can replace all ECW's immediately.
After the initial down payment of $187,000, to be taken from existing funding in the
current fiscal year, the financing program will require four subsequent, annual
payments of $83,000. The agreement includes all new Taser X-2 ECWs, with
corresponding holsters, batteries and cartridges needed for training and
deployment. Additionally, the financing agreement locks in the current pricing for
the duration of the five-year agreement and includes a five-year extended wananty
for allthe ECWs.
The Department will need a total of 345 ECWs to fully equip all patrol personnel,
including Reserve Officers. This will also provide for a small inventory of ECWs as
spares and replacements when units require service. lt should also be noted that
the financing agreement, as proposed by Taser, would replace all 55 of our
previously purchased black X-2 ECWs and all new X-2s purchases with the yellow-
colored version. This change in color is being done for safety reasons. The yellow
Taser provides immediate identification of the device to suspects -- and to fellow
officers on scene -- as an ECW and not a firearm.
For the cost of slightly more than what is normally budget annually for Taser
maintenance, the Department can replace all existing Taser X-26s with a newer,
safer product. The only additional cost is that of replacement batteries and
cartridges for the ECWs.
CONCLUSION
The upgrade of the Police Department's less-than-lethal ECWs is necessary at this
time because the existing Tasers have become obsolete and because the newer
devices are safer and more compassionate weapons. This proposal results in the
immediate replacement of all 345 weapons in the MBPD inventory, with the cost
covered over the next five years. Money for this fiscal year's down payment exists
within the Police Department budget. The out-year cost of $83,000 annually for the
next four years is reasonable for this important technology. lt is my belief that the
deployment of the new Taser technology will provide an appropriate balance to
protect both the officers and the community from unexpected tragedy or unintended
consequences.
{so
JLM:DJO:WRG:tr
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RESOLUTION TO BE SUBMITTED
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