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Sheriff asks commissioners to fund cruiser equipment and replace outdated tasers
Summary
Lawrence County's sheriff told commissioners Feb. 3 that new cruisers require radios, docking stations and body-worn camera stations (estimated $62,000–$75,000) and that department tasers are at end-of-life (vendor quote ~ $243,000); staff were asked to work with finance to identify funding and trade-in options.
Sheriff (name not specified in the transcript) told the board Feb. 3 that new patrol cruisers ordered for the department will require modern radios, docking stations, body-worn camera docking stations, data ports and related equipment. The sheriff said equipment to outfit five cruisers is expected to cost "just below $75,000," with preliminary estimates ranging between about $62,000 and $75,000 for the package discussed.
The sheriff also reported that most department tasers are at the end of their useful life and that many older units can no longer download deployment data. A vendor price quote discussed in the meeting was approximately $243,000. The sheriff said the equipment and the data-download requirement are important for officer and public safety and for liability management.
Commissioners asked staff to work with County Administrator Dylan Bentley and the finance office to gather accurate price quotes and to explore trade-in or vendor programs the supplier (identified in discussion as Jesse Lowe's contact) might offer. No formal funding appropriation or contract award was approved at the Feb. 3 meeting; the board asked for further information and follow-up meetings with vendors before any purchase decision.
"Our equipment is outdated to the point where we're now—most of our tasers won't even download anymore," the sheriff said, arguing that replacement reduces liability and improves officer and public safety. Commissioners responded that they wished to be included in next-step vendor discussions and budgeting.
