Axon’s work with federal agencies started more than a decade ago with the adoption and use of TASER conducted energy weapons (CEWs) in defense and federal civilian organizations. Today, federal agencies are turning to Axon for its growing network of sensors and software solutions.
Here, Richard Coleman, Sr. Vice President and general manager of Axon’s federal sector, reviews the technology trends across federal agencies.
1. THERE’S BEEN AN EXPLOSION OF DIGITAL EVIDENCE
One of the biggest trends impacting federal agencies is the surge of digital evidence — both the amount and the types of digital evidence agencies are charged with collecting and managing.
In years past, evidence might have included photographs and audio recorders. Today, it has grown to include digital photos and videos from cellphones, video from CCTV cameras and drone footage, to name a few. Unfortunately, law enforcement doesn’t have a unique way to store all of this data.
2. AGENCIES NEED TO BE ABLE TO STORE AND SHARE DATA — SECURELY
Axon Evidence, a FedRAMP-authorized digital evidence management system, provides a secure software platform for federal agencies to capture, store, and share digital evidence. Axon achieved FedRAMP medium authorization in 2019, opening the door for federal agencies to use Axon Evidence and to start leveraging body cameras.
This marks a turning point for federal agencies, which now have access to a cloud-based solution designed to protect data from cyber attacks — Axon Evidence. For example, the U.S. Forest Service is the first to market to solve the challenges it faces working in remote areas and of challenging workflows that lack seamless sharing while adopting live-streaming capabilities, all possible with cloud-based evidence management.
3. TECHNOLOGY HELPS THEM CAPTURE THE TRUTH
Simply put, outfitting federal agencies with body cameras helps them capture the truth. This is particularly important where there is potential for use of force or when investigating citizen complaints, such as within federal law enforcement.
A recent partnership between Axon and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will equip the agency with 5,000 body cameras in 2021, as well as digital evidence management via Axon Evidence and in-car video systems. This technology will finally allow CBP to more effectively document enforcement incidents, improve support of its border agents and provide transparency to the public.
4. THERE’S UNTAPPED POWER IN THE ABILITY TO EASILY SHARE EVIDENCE
Axon’s roots in law enforcement translate to a significant footprint across state and local police departments. That means a large number of state and local police departments use Axon Evidence to store critical evidence and information.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) launched a body camera pilot program that allows state and local officers to wear body cameras during joint task force operations. Axon partnered with ATF to provide Axon Body 3 cameras supported by Axon Evidence to capture the evidentiary data from the body cameras during joint task force operations.
5. WORKFLOWS CAN BE STREAMLINED WITH THE RIGHT TOOLS
Axon not only provides the technology and software to help federal agencies capture the truth in their interactions, but it also streamlines how they get that truth into a record. Then, it helps them seamlessly share that record with the entities that need access to it.
Seamless integration means less steps in the process. That means more time in the field working and less time spent at a desk.
SOLUTIONS FOR OUR OPERATION
Axon’s robust network of software and devices offers the solutions you need for the challenges your agency is facing. Contact Axon today to learn more about our support for federal agencies.
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