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Oakdale council approves Axon in‑car cameras and Draft 1 AI report tool for police
Summary
Oakdale City Council voted 4–0 to authorize a $172,591.78 purchase from Axon Enterprises for in‑car cameras and 20 Draft 1 AI report licenses. Presenters said the systems will improve evidence collection, reduce officer report writing time and integrate with the city’s evidence.com workflow.
Oakdale City Council on Monday approved a contract with Axon Enterprises to buy in‑car cameras and 20 Draft 1 artificial‑intelligence report licenses for the Oakdale Police Department, council records show.
An Axon representative told the council that the proposed purchase — Draft 1 licenses for $48,323.60 and in‑car cameras for $124,268.18, for a total of $172,591.78 — is intended to speed report writing, reduce overtime and provide clearer evidence for prosecutions. “This footage supports prosecutorial success and strengthens case integrity,” the presenter said, describing how cameras and Draft 1 can reduce reliance on memory and generate draft narratives from body‑worn audio and video for officer review.
The representative said the in‑car systems include a back‑seat view that helps staff “maintain a visual on every occupant,” that cameras can be configured to activate by doors, lights, sirens, weapon racks, speed triggers or other department settings, and that systems include a buffer that captures 30 seconds to two minutes of footage preceding activation. Staff also said Axon tools integrate with evidence.com so evidence transfers to prosecutors without manual handling.
Council members asked about camera angles, activation triggers and buffering. In response, the presenter said departments can choose activation settings and that evidence.com integration is supported. The presenter also said Axon is widely used in law enforcement and that the company’s products include safeguards and security measures.
Staff told the council the cost is budgeted in the contract services fund and that camera payments will be made over annual installments as presented. A council member moved to approve the contract, the motion was seconded, and a roll‑call vote recorded four 'yes' votes; the motion passed 4–0.
The contract authorizes the city manager to finalize the purchase and begin integration work with the police department; staff said officers will be trained and that officers will continue to review and approve AI‑generated drafts before adding them to the official report.
