The Flossmoor Police Department purchased tasers from Axon Enterprises in March and extended the purchase with board approval for 25 new body-worn cameras and eight new in-car cameras at the June 3 board meeting.
The department currently has 15 body cameras in operation purchased in 2022 and five in-car video systems all purchased before 2014.
The current body cameras with a 2.5-year lifespan are unable to stay charged for an eight-hour shift. The in-car cameras, now more a decade old, had a projected five-year lifespan. It is difficult to synchronize the in-car cameras correctly to the body cameras, according to Police Chief Carl Estelle.
This next purchase will add 25 new body cameras of the latest model with 13-hour battery life and includes a hardware refresh every two and a half years; and eight new in-car video systems.
Both camera purchases are under a five-year contract with body cameras at $261,449.43 and the in-car cameras at $125,193.60.
The police department was able to secure a grant through the Small Rural Tribal Body-Worn Camera Micro-Grant Program for $40,000.
Trustee Gary Daggett had questions about the gap in cameras when being sent in for the refresh. Police Chief Carl Estelle said the police department would send a limited number each time. He said the purchase makes sense for police and public safety.
Trustee Kevin Dorsey inquired about a warranty for malfunctions which Estelle assured him is a part of the package.
Dorsey also asked if it was the latest technology and asked how it compared to what other law enforcement agencies are using.
Estelle said area departments use Axon equipment and making the switch would help Flossmoor catch up after setbacks from the previous law enforcement equipment company the village used. Estelle reported many problems with footage and data collection.
Trustee George Lofton supported the purchase from Axon, and said with the timing of the grant it makes sense to move forward with the technology upgrades.
Estelle said the accessibility Axon gives for data storage in a cloud-based system is a big positive. He said several officers will be trained by Axon experts.
