Calgary, AB,
05
September
2017
|
10:55
America/Denver

Request for Proposals issued for Body Worn Cameras

The City of Calgary on behalf of Calgary Police Service is posting a Request for Proposals (RFP) for Body Worn Cameras (BWC) today, Tuesday, Sep. 5, 2017. This RFP will be open until Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017. After the closing of the RFP, submissions will be evaluated and shortlisted, which includes hands on testing.

It is anticipated a supplier will be chosen by end of January 2018.

At this time CPS is asking the vendor to supply 250 BWCs. These cameras will be used by officers in frontline policing roles who currently are not equipped with In-Car Digital Video. The request for 250 cameras manages current fiscal constraints with the need for a wholesome deployment providing the Service with an accurate reflection of how cameras will be integrated into operations.

Deployment of BWCs is guided by five key principles:

  1. Enhance transparency, public trust and confidence.
  2. Collection of evidence.
  3. Enhance officer accountability and professionalism.
  4. Protect officers from unfounded allegations of misconduct.
  5. De-escalate a situation.

The Calgary Police Service remains committed to the use of BWCs.

In November 2012, a pilot project was undertaken to test the feasibility of the technology. After completion of the pilot project, further research was done and a RFP was issued on May 12, 2014. On Jan. 18, 2015, The RFP was awarded to Safety Innovations, Inc. and Safety Innovations LLC, which included 1100 BWCs, training, implementation, warranty, maintenance and support, priced at $753,685.02.

In August 2015, the Service began a phased rollout of the cameras to District 1 and Traffic to determine how well they functioned and how the operating procedures worked in different circumstances. This was followed by a three month evaluation period.

In February 2016, technical issues resulting in the compromise of officer safety, led to a recall of current BWCs. 

Despite several months of negotiations, a mutually acceptable arrangement to test updated products could not be reached, resulting in a determination that the suppliers did not have the ability to bring their hardware up to an acceptable standard. On Sep. 8, 2016, The City of Calgary terminated its contract.

Today, Tuesday, Sep. 5, 2017, CPS has filed a statement of claim against the suppliers for the amount of $586,000.