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File Number: 14-002 The study also ran a comparison of Rialto police officers who were wearing body cameras and police officers who did not wear body cameras , and the data collected revealed officers used force nearly 60% less when officers were wearing a body camera . Researchers determined that the decline in use of force and complaints were related to police officers wearing body worn cameras. The conclusion of the study provided that, “This behavioral modification is of real practical significance to the police, especially given the cost benefit ratios. We therefore foresee that body worn cameras by police will dramatically change police-public encounters.” The Rialto Police Department conducted this study on police officers wearing body cameras to determine their impact on lowering costs in litigation claims and expenses associated with citizen complaints and high liability areas including use of force incidents. It is estimated that every year U.S. law enforcement agencies spend $2 billion dollars settling disputes between officers and civilians . Some agencies utilize in-car cameras; however many critical incidents occur away from the view of the in-car video camera. Body worn cameras provide an accurate depiction of police contact and will assist personnel with recalling details of an incident to write police reports and to provide a factual account of police encounters. As part of our research, the San Leandro Police Department participated in the Police Executive Research Forum conference on police body cameras. This conference was attended by over 250 agencies from across the country, and participating departments found the use of body worn cameras effective for the modern police officer . In addition, some departments reported that police officers are already carrying their own cameras to document public interactions. The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) conducted a study in 2005 on the usage of in-car cameras. The research in that study revealed 93% of complaints regarding officer misconduct were dismissed when there was video documentation available . The study also reported that 48% of the public is less likely to file a complaint if they know there is a documented video of the incident. Based on the early research regarding digital video cameras (including in-car and body worn), staff believes that utilizing a body worn camera system will enhance operations and the ability to prosecute criminal activity through audio/video documentation. In addition, it will be a valuable tool to investigate complaints concerning police misconduct and will help to address other complaints, and civil liability. The American Civil Liberties Union supports police officers wearing body -mounted cameras and stated, “With the right policies in place, a win for all.” A copy of this report is attached . Analysis Staff has studied body camera systems for the last year and concluded the Taser Axon body camera meets the Police Department’s operational needs . The Taser Axon camera system provides a secure and digital cloud storage management system. Staff has selected this specific camera as opposed to other body worn cameras because it is the only one of its kind that has a 30 second pre-buffer feature. This feature captures 30 seconds of prior video only (no audio) each time the officer activates the record feature on the camera system . In addition, the digital storage management system is a cost effective solution which will save a significant amount of Information Technology costs , including staffing to maintain and manage the system and hardware costs. Information Technology staff estimates that if it were to provide the same storage solution as Taser International it would be at double the cost . Page 2 City of San Leandro Printed on 4/29/2014