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Police director defends Axon contract and capital asks as council probes cuts
Summary
Franklin Township’s police director presented a $752,850 operating budget and a list of 2026 capital requests including a multi‑year Axon body‑worn camera contract and vehicle outfitting; councilors pressed to trim optional items while noting Attorney General mandates for cameras and training.
Director Fredericks, the police director, told the Franklin Township Council on March 17 that the police department’s 2026 operating budget is proposed at $752,850 and explained several year‑to‑year shifts in line items.
Fredericks said the department’s personnel‑testing costs are lower this year because fewer promotional exams were required and that equipment repair, training and ammunition remain pressure points. “Training costs always go up every year,” Fredericks said, adding that ammunition and equipment repairs have risen since the pandemic.
The council pressed the director on capital asks. Fredericks described a five‑year Axon contract for body‑worn and in‑car cameras and evidence‑management systems as “absolutely necessary,” saying the Attorney General’s office has directed that Axon be used on the state contract. He said the line in the capital sheet for Axon shows about $250,000 and that the multi‑year structure spreads that cost over several years.
Council members questioned vehicle purchases and outfitting costs and asked whether the fleet could be reduced from eight new SUVs to six. Fredericks said the department could explore reducing the order and recommended keeping at least five Explorers plus at least one pickup truck to maintain operational needs; reducing cars would lower associated outfitting and mobile radio costs.
On public‑safety training, Fredericks emphasized equipment and facility requests tied to attorney‑general mandates: a mat room for defensive‑tactics training (the required hours have increased) and upgrades to in‑car and station recording systems. He also said the department seeks water‑rescue equipment and associated officer training to staff response vehicles acquired through a surplus program.
Several council members asked which capital items were optional; Fredericks identified camera trailers and some water‑rescue devices as deferrable and said the department would work with finance committees to prioritize mandated items first. The council signaled willingness to trim some optional items and to revisit the capital list before the formal introduction of the budget.
The council did not take a formal vote on police operating or capital budgets during the hearing; Fredericks said staff will follow up with detailed priorities and that the items would be further vetted by the financial oversight committee.
