Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Body Worn Cameras topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Waseca County adopts body‑worn camera policy and approves $267,388 Axon equipment bundle (approx. $225,088 after grant)
Summary
The board held a public hearing, adopted a sheriff’s office body‑worn camera policy (Policy 5‑19) and approved a bundled Axon purchase of body cameras, dash cameras and tasers. Staff said a $40,000 grant will reduce the purchase to about $225,088 and that funding comes from prior Public Safety Aid awards.
The sheriff’s office presented policy 5‑19 (body‑worn cameras and reporting systems) and opened a public hearing; staff said no public comments were received. The board voted to adopt the policy and then considered a bundled purchase from Axon for body‑worn cameras, squad dash cameras and replacement tasers. Sheriff’s staff said they solicited multiple vendors and that Axon offered a bundled package and interagency compatibility benefits with city, state patrol and DNR systems.
The quoted Axon package price was $267,388.40, which the sheriff said would be reduced by a $40,000 grant to approximately $225,088.40. Staff said the package includes a five‑year contract with cloud storage and a 2.5‑year refresh for body cameras to keep pace with technology; dash cameras would remain serviceable for the contract term. The sheriff described automatic activation features tied to holster sensors and vehicle activation that reduce missed recordings; county administration and designated staff will oversee data access and transfers to prosecutors.
Board discussion covered rollout to jail staff (one body camera for the jail administrator initially, expansion to jailers to be evaluated), refresh cycles, rotation planning to avoid simultaneous replacement costs, and who would handle evidence/data flows. County attorney and IT representatives supported Axon compatibility and evidence management benefits. The board approved the purchase and directed implementation under administration supervision; funding will come from Public Safety Aid budgeted in 2024.
