Wilmington council approves five-year Axon contract for police interview-room equipment

Wilmington City Council on Thursday approved a five-year agreement with Axon Enterprises Inc. to purchase interview-room video equipment and related services for the Wilmington Police Department.

The contract, which the council adopted after a committee recommendation, carries a fiscal impact of $138,324.48 spread over the five-year term. The agreement covers cameras and recording systems for police interview rooms and associated cloud storage and service fees.

The Public Safety Committee had reviewed the ordinance and recommended council approval. Councilwoman McCoy, who spoke during the floor debate, described the package as equipment for “the interview room” and said it primarily covers video equipment and cloud services; she stated the fiscal impact totaled $138,324.48 divided over the five‑year term.

Councilwoman Oliver said the recording systems offer broader protections, adding, “it protects everybody in the room, so no one can say they didn't say this because everything is being recorded.”

The ordinance authorizes the city to execute an agreement with Axon Enterprises Inc. for interview-room equipment and related services for a five-year period commencing on or about the agreement signature date. The purchase aligns the department with equipment used by other law-enforcement agencies, a point raised during the committee report.

The council adopted the ordinance by roll call: Councilman Owens, Councilwoman Oliver, Councilwoman Harley, Councilwoman McCoy, Councilwoman Johnson, Councilman Field, Councilman Hackett, Councilman Spadola and President Congo voted yes; four members were absent. The ordinance was recorded as approved and will be implemented by the Wilmington Police Department and the city procurement staff.

The council did not attach additional conditions to the authorization; the contract term and the stated fiscal impact were recorded in the meeting minutes.