TO: Members of the City Council
FROM: Mayor Angela Birney
DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR CONTACT(S):
|
Police |
Chief Darrell Lowe |
425-556-2521 |
DEPARTMENT STAFF:
|
Police |
Brian Coats |
Deputy Chief |
TITLE:
title
Police Technology Update
OVERVIEW STATEMENT:
recommendation
This is an overview for Council on police technology the department is currently using and considering for the future.
Police technology is emerging rapidly, giving law enforcement additional tools to address an increase in criminal activity, while being mindful of the expectations the community has to privacy. The use of new technology provides an opportunity for the police department to perform more effectively and efficiently within the context of current staffing levels.
Police staff are looking forward to a productive discussion about how technology is shaping the future of law enforcement.
body
☒ Additional Background Information/Description of Proposal Attached
REQUESTED ACTION:
☒ Receive Information ☒ Provide Direction ☐ Approve
REQUEST RATIONALE:
• Relevant Plans/Policies:
N/A
• Required:
N/A
• Council Request:
At the March 19th, 2024 Committee of the Whole, Council requested additional information and conversation about the ForceMetrics contract. The ForceMetrics Statement of Work is referenced in attachment D.
• Other Key Facts:
N/A
OUTCOMES:
The use of technology provides an opportunity for the police department to perform more effectively and efficiently. Technology currently in use and under consideration are as follows:
The use of technology provides an opportunity for the police department to perform more effectively and efficiently. Technology currently under consideration is as follows:
• Automated License Plate Readers (ALPR)
o Fixed ALPRs by Flock Safety are high-speed, computer-controlled camera systems that are mounted on street poles and streetlights or mobile trailers. Mobile ALPRs are integrated into the patrol car’s Fleet 3 cameras and activated with a flip of the switch by Axon.
o ALPRs automatically capture all license plate numbers that come into view, along with location, date, and time; cross-referencing the license plate with a “Hot List” of stolen cars, wanted persons, and missing persons, for example. From a privacy perspective, data obtained from the ALPR data does not include the car owner’s personal information and there are no facial recognition capabilities.
• Force Metrics
o Search engine overlay for our Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) and Records Management System (RMS). This technology also provides analytical capabilities and efficiencies not currently available to staff.
o The ForceMetrics Statement of Work document is attached for reference.
• Real-time Information Center (Fuses)
o As we move forward with implementation of additional technology platforms, consideration should be given to the creation of a Real-time information center within the police department. Presently there are multiple video platforms in use, (Body worn cameras, in-car cameras, City Traffic cameras, City CCTV cameras, private business and residential camera feeds, and Sound Transit video feeds.) All these feeds can (and should) be streamed simultaneously into one location or workstation or console for use by Staff to ensure the most timely and relevant information is being provided to officers responding to calls.
• Drone as a First Responder (DFR)
o Several agencies across the country have begun using Unmanned Ariel Systems (Drones) as a first response resource with tremendous success. In Redmond, the UAS can respond to locations across town in 1-2 minutes, determine if there is a need for a patrol officer to respond, and perform overhead area searches for offenders, missing persons, etc.
o A DFR pilot will allow the proof of concept to be documented and will be used to supplement existing patrol staffing levels, responding to certain calls initially to determine the need and scale of a patrol response. To identify the viability of such a program and identify the resources and funding needed to implement such a program full time. A public facing dashboard has been created to allow the public to monitor the number of DFR deployments, flight trajectories and other relevant data.
o A 120-day pilot is planned for a mid-April launch.
• School and Park Zone Speed Cameras
o See attached speed studies
COMMUNITY/STAKEHOLDER OUTREACH AND INVOLVEMENT:
• Timeline (previous or planned):
N/A
• Outreach Methods and Results:
N/A
• Feedback Summary:
N/A
BUDGET IMPACT:
Total Cost:
On-going equipment and training costs
Approved in current biennial budget: ☒ Yes ☐ No ☐ N/A
Budget Offer Number:
228 Criminal Justice
Budget Priority:
Safe and Resilient
Other budget impacts or additional costs: ☐ Yes ☐ No ☒ N/A
If yes, explain:
N/A
Funding source(s):
General Fund
Budget/Funding Constraints:
N/A
☐ Additional budget details attached
COUNCIL REVIEW:
Previous Contact(s)
|
Date |
Meeting |
Requested Action |
|
9/19/2023 |
Committee of the Whole - Public Safety and Human Services |
Receive Information |
Proposed Upcoming Contact(s)
|
Date |
Meeting |
Requested Action |
|
4/9/2024 |
Study Session |
Approve |
Time Constraints:
N/A
ANTICIPATED RESULT IF NOT APPROVED:
The police department will continue to operate in a less than optimal and efficient manner.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A: Police Technology Agenda Memo
Attachment B: Flock Safety ALPR Privacy & Ethics FAQ
Attachment C: Redmond Speed Study - School and Park Zones
Attachment D: ForceMetrics Contract Memo
Attachment E: ForceMetrics Statement of Work
Attachment F: ForceMetrics Sole Source Letter
Attachment G: ForceMetrics PowerPoint Presentation