Hammond council renews $445,502.88 Axon contract for police body cameras amid oversight concerns
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Summary
The council approved a five-year renewal with Axon Enterprise for body-camera services and cloud storage. Several council members pressed for clearer access to footage and internal body-camera-use policies before future renewals.
The Hammond City Council on May 27 approved a five-year renewal with Axon Enterprise Inc. for body-worn-camera licensing, cloud storage, warranties and upgrades at a total contract cost of $445,502.88 (about $89,100.58 per year) under state contract 4400028582.
City staff said the cost is included in the Police Department budget and that the Axon agreement covers hardware upgrades, cloud storage and replacement warranties; staff explained Axon's business model bundles hardware with service and storage under a multiyear agreement. "This is money that is in the police department's budget," a city staff presenter said.
Council members supported renewing the contract but used the discussion to press for greater transparency and stronger enforcement of department policies. Council members raised long-standing concerns that officers sometimes do not activate their body cameras when required. "Our problem is that if we're spending money and paying for all this equipment and it's not being used, there's no point in paying for it," one councilmember said, urging clearer policies and timely access to footage for oversight.
City Attorney Andre explained that requests for documents are distinct from public-records requests and recommended council members route questions through the mayor or director of administration so administration can coordinate timely responses. Council members also discussed disciplinary processes and the role of civil-service procedures in personnel matters.
Speakers from the public, including residents who said they had requested footage in the past, urged better enforcement of camera-use policies and clearer reporting on the department's compliance with camera requirements. City staff clarified that Axon's investigatory upload link is created only for specific investigations rather than being a continuous public upload link to avoid spam and to protect cloud storage.
The resolution to renew the Axon agreement passed on a council roll call. After the vote, councilmembers reiterated requests that administration provide the council copies of the department's policy on cameras and information on past disciplinary actions where cameras were not used.
The council's approval authorizes the mayor to execute the five-year agreement under the stated contract number; the Police Department will proceed with the covered licensing and storage services under the renewed contract.
