Gastonia, NC – February 28, 2022 – The City Council approved a five-year contract for body-worn cameras, tasers, and Cloud storage to Axon Enterprise, Inc. for $1,275,940.54 at its February 15 meeting. The capabilities of the new equipment will benefit officers in the Gastonia Police Department (GPD) by enhancing safety and yearly cost-saving measures.
Key Highlights of the New Equipment
- Unlimited Cloud data storage for body-worn camera videos and taser data.
- Increase the amount of less-lethal tasers.
- Body-worn camera activation when pulling taser and handgun from the holster.
- Software upgrades to enhance auditing body-worn camera footage.
“After a complete review and evaluation of this equipment, we decided that Axon Enterprise’s Body Camera and Taser Program was best suited for our use,” said Police Chief Travis Brittain. “We will move to a new, less lethal taser platform to enhance our current operations and increase the reliability of police interactions.”
New Tasers
Every year the GPD purchases five to ten new tasers. This year, 100 tasers will be purchased to completely outfit the Patrol Division. The batteries of the new tasers are removable and can be docked into a station for recharging and all data is downloaded to the Cloud while charging. The Department will require recertification by all officers before they are able to use the new equipment.
New Body-worn Cameras
The new contract will also include 143 body cameras that will be issued to patrol sergeants and patrol officers. The new body cameras will have higher resolution and white noise reduction as useful features.
Enhanced safety for police interactions with both tasers and body-worn cameras were appealing features, said Chief Brittain. For example, when a taser is pulled from its holster, it activates the body camera of the officer holding it as well as officers around him/her in the immediate area. Also, with the new equipment, when an officer’s handgun is removed from the holster, it will also activate the officer’s body camera and those in the immediate vicinity.
“We want our officers to have the tools to do their jobs more effectively and efficiently. We believe this new equipment plus the enhanced technology, will provide the resources needed to help them accomplish that,” said Chief Brittain.
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