Council lets Kauai police purchase 105 body cameras

The Kauai Police Department has received approval by the County Council to purchase 105 body cameras for police officers.

The Council unanimously approved the Police Department’s request Wednesday to purchase 105 Axon Flex cameras and mounts from Taser International Inc., a manufacturing company based in Scottsdale, Ariz. The purchase of the cameras is part of an Officers Safety Package deal from the company that includes unlimited video storage for the body cameras and 105 X26P Tasers, battery packs and holsters.

To cover the normal wear and tear of the equipment, the package also covers warranty services to replace the body cameras at 30 months and five years and the Tasers at five years.

According to the Police Department, the actual cost of all the equipment is $355,568. Taser offered a package deal at $176,718. The Police Department is expected to receive a credit for $127,242 for 67 analog Tasers purchased earlier this year that will be returned.

"They’re allowing us to return items and participate in this deal that came out just after we purchased Tasers," Assistant Chief Robert Gausepohl said at the Wednesday Council meeting.

The upgraded Tasers are more reliable and durable, said Gausepohl.

Kauai police officers started using Tasers in 2008.

During the meeting, Gausepohl said the package was the best comprehensive, cost-efficient deal with the best available body cameras and Tasers.

Patrol officers are slated to use the equipment within the next year, as the Police Department is still working on a detailed policy.

"We’re very close to having a good policy in place," said Gausepohl.

Body cameras are seen as a way to show that the use of a Taser or other weapons was justified.

Other counties are at various stages of deciding whether to include body cameras as a tool for police officers.

Michelle Yu, spokeswoman for the Honolulu Police Department, said, "We are evaluating different models of body-worn cameras and working on the funding for a pilot project."

Last month, the Maui Police Department completed a monthlong pilot program in which 10 officers used cameras, also from Taser International. The Hawaii County Department is continuing to do research on the use of body cameras.