Pact to cost the city $135,224.03
AIRWAY HEIGHTS – A contract renewal between the Police Department and Axon Enterprise Inc. was unanimously approved Sept. 18 during the City Council meeting.
The renewed five-year contract will cost the city $135,224.03.
According to Lt. Jake Keith, the department has been using body cameras for about 15 years.
“Body cameras are often the solution to increase police accountability and transparency,” Keith said. “Because body cameras provide an audio and visual recording of encounters between the police and the public. “They may encourage officers and community members to maintain a higher standard of behavior during incidents.”
The body cameras can’t replace an officer’s perception, but can help in terms of memory, he said.
“Additionally, our contract with Axon keeps us in compliance with state law and has allowed our agency to be more efficient with case management,” Keith said. “With the majority of our regional partners who also use Axon, we’re able to share content with a secure link and seamlessly provide evidence to our prosecutors and defense attorney’s.”
“Axon has also proven to be an easy way for civilians to share their video evidence with us and assist us with investigations,” he added.
Keith said the contract was reviewed and approved by an attorney.
Mayor Larry Bowman then put the item up for vote, and it passed.
Matthew graduated from West Virginia University-Parkersburg in 2011 with a journalism degree. He's an award-winning photographer and enjoys writing stories about people.
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