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Police recommend upgrade to Taser 7 and Axon body cams as cartridges and camera performance draw scrutiny
Summary
A police representative told the finance committee the department wants to upgrade from Taser X2 to the Taser 7 and replace current body cameras, citing cartridge backorders, expired-cartridge risks in the field, video clarity issues, and vendor pricing that bundles cameras and evidence management with optional AI features.
A police representative told the finance committee that the department is proposing an upgrade from the Taser X2 to the newer Taser 7 because the older X2 platform has been sunsetted and cartridges have been on back order, leaving the department short of non-expired cartridges for officers on duty.
The presenter also described deficiencies with the department’s current ProVision body cameras at "high time" usage and explained that a bundled purchase from Axon (body cameras plus Axon Evidence cloud services) produced a more favorable quote than buying Tasers alone. The presenter said the Axon bundle includes transcription and real-time translation features as part of an AI package and that transcription is part of the AI offering.
The presenter shared results of voluntary training tests using expired cartridges to preserve supply and said in one instance the first expired cartridge did not subdue the subject and required multiple deployments—an outcome the presenter said would be problematic in a field encounter. The presenter said videos were available (some with audio playback issues during the meeting) and described a test involving a new hire, Officer Burnett.
Committee members asked about contract terms, subscription costs and whether the department still owes money on current equipment; staff reiterated that this discussion was informational and no vote would be taken until budget time. The presenter gave a vendor cost example: a figure cited as $47,419.99 for a package without AI capabilities and a higher total when AI/transcription features are added (speaker approximated the larger figure as "like 69"). The presenter said the AI subscription rate cited was $9,900 per year for the first three years and that pricing would increase after year three.
The committee did not vote on procurement. Staff said the department will present formal purchase requests and exact numbers to the full council during the upcoming budget review so the council can weigh subscription costs and the operational implications of switching platforms.
