DATE: August 18, 2026
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Chief of Police
SUBJECT
Title
Adopt a Resolution (1) Authorizing the City Manager to Negotiate and Execute a Five-Year Agreement with Axon Enterprises, Inc. for a Real-Time Information Center Technology Package, including “Drone as a First Responder” Equipment, 64 Replacement Automated License Plate Recognition Cameras, and Other Integrated Technologies with a Maximum Not-to-Exceed Compensation Amount of $2,945,000 Consistent with Previous City Council Direction; (2) Authorizing the City Manager to Execute Future Amendments that Result in Reduced Costs or Impacts to the General Fund; and (3) Authorizing Related Budget Actions Contingent on Maintaining or Reducing the General Fund Allocation
End
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
That the City Council adopts a resolution (Attachment II) (1) authorizing the City Manager to execute a five-year agreement with Axon Enterprises, Inc. (Axon) for the purchase of a Real-Time Information Center (RTIC) technology package, including “Drone as a First Responder” (DFR) equipment, 64 replacement automated license plate recognition (ALPR) cameras, and other integrated technologies consistent with previous City Council direction on June 16, 2026 with a maximum compensation amount not-to-exceed $2,945,000; (2) authorizing the City Manager to execute future amendments as long as they result in reduced costs or impacts to the General Fund; and (3) authorizing related budget actions contingent on maintaining or reducing the amount of funds allocated from the General Fund.
End
SUMMARY
On June 16, 2026, the City Council adopted a resolution that (1) renewed Hayward Police Department’s (HPD) Military Equipment Use Policy No. 706 and Ordinance 22-06, and (2) authorized the purchase of eight DFR units and associated software, subscriptions, licensing, and accessories in an amount not to exceed $589,000 annually or $2,945,000 over five years. Staff was directed to return to Council with a proposed DFR technology contract for approval. This item fulfills that direction.
HPD intends to supplement its existing Unmanned Aerial (UAS) System Program with a DFR program, with the goal of enhancing public safety services and the ability of HPD and the Hayward Fire Department (HFD) to respond to emerging incidents more effectively and efficiently. Given the City’s strained financial situation, the use of technology that strategically deploys public safety resources as efficiently as possible is crucial to maintaining a high level of service, especially considering HPD’s current 27 sworn officer vacancies.
Additionally, the proposed DFR program is a foundational component of HPD’s vision to implement a RTIC concept, which would create a centralized information hub that integrates all live data sources (i.e., DFR, ALPRs, in-car camera systems, Body Worn Camera systems), Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) information, and records management systems into a single platform that would allow staff to analyze data in real time for emergency response, operational, and investigative purposes.
On June 29, 2026, HPD issued RFP 26-059 seeking a RTIC technology package, including a comprehensive DFR program that would integrate aerial drone response with other existing and proposed RTIC technology solutions. There were three responsive proposals, including one from Axon, who HPD currently contracts with for body worn cameras, digital evidence storage through Evidence.com, transcription software, redaction software, virtual reality training aids, and other accountability tools and products.
Staff recommends awarding an agreement to Axon for the full RTIC technology package due to the strategic interoperability Axon provides with the other services contracted by HPD. Axon has also demonstrated a proven track record of a high level of customer service and privacy protection.
Axon’s proposal covers the following components in addition to a comprehensive DFR program, all within the existing budget amounts authorized by the Council for the DFR program: (1) replacement of 64 of the City’s ALPR cameras to begin transitioning away from Flock ALPRs in the City; (2) the Axon Fusus platform that unifies information from the HPD’s data sources into a single, map-based interface; and (3) “prepared assistive call-taking” software that allows RTIC personnel to see and respond to calls for service before dispatchers finish the call and provides real time translation capabilities.
The proposed agreement is for a five-year period, with a maximum compensation not-to-exceed $2,945,000 and is consistent with previous City Council authorization. Additionally, due to the City’s ongoing fiscal challenges, the contract and associated resolutions request Council authorization to provide for flexibility for staff to respond to future needs that specifically reduce funding from the General Fund, including the acceptance of future grant funds for RTIC technologies, including the DFR Program, and the incremental phasing in or downsizing of the DFR program due to future funding availability.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment I Staff Report
Attachment II Resolution
Attachment III HPD Policy 611