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Batavia police demonstrate new Axon body cameras with translation feature funded by $487,000 grant
Summary
Batavia officials demonstrated newly deployed Axon body-worn cameras that include on-device translation (over 50 languages), AI lookup tools for hazard identification and automatic recording tied to translation. City officials said the equipment was purchased largely with a $487,000 grant.
Batavia’s police department demonstrated new Axon body-worn cameras at the April 6 city council meeting, showing features officials said will help officers communicate with non-English speakers and rapidly identify hazards at incident scenes.
Chief Flowers and Officer Blowers showed how the camera’s translation function turns on recording automatically and can translate spoken Spanish into English in real time. “I’m Officer Blowers with the Batavia Police Department. Do you know why I stopped you?” Blowers said during a mock traffic stop demonstration, then used the camera’s translation tool to show the exchange in Spanish. Chief Flowers told council the system already supports “over 50 languages and they’re always adding more.”
The department also demonstrated an AI-powered lookup capability that can identify hazardous materials and suggest safe perimeter distances. During the demo, the camera provided a response about a DOT hazmat number and recommended safe evacuation distances, with officers noting the tool’s answers are AI-generated and should be verified for critical uses.
Administrators said the equipment was purchased with substantial outside funding. “Yes. $487,000,” Chief Flowers said when asked about the grant that helped acquire the cameras. Officers and staff described the devices as improving field efficiency, translation on traffic stops and quick access to safety information without officers needing to consult phones.
Why it matters: City officials said the cameras will strengthen officer interactions with non-English-speaking residents and provide on-the-spot information for incident safety. Council members asked about language coverage and community use; officials said the translation capability is intended to improve communication in the field but cautioned that AI-generated guidance should be verified for critical safety decisions.
What’s next: Chief Flowers said he will bring additional information about implementation and the grant to the council. The council did not take formal action on the cameras during the meeting; the demonstration was part of the administrator’s report and public update.
