SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. (Dec. 1, 2020) – The Sandy Springs City Council has approved a contract with Axon to ensure that all Sandy Springs Police Officers are equipped with body cameras. The agreement, not to exceed $2,263,184.67 over five years, consolidates the City’s existing contracts with Axon, upgrades current equipment, in addition to adding 40 new body cameras. The upgrade in systems aligns with the City Council’s adopted priorities with Public Safety a key priority.

The City has worked with Axon since 2008 when it secured Tasers from the company. In 2017, after an extensive procurement process, Axon was selected to provide the police department with 92 Body Worn Cameras. The contract was amended in 2019, adding 38 Body Worn Cameras and 135 in-car Fleet cameras.

The Sandy Springs Police Department today has 170 sworn officers with arrest authority, including full and part-time members. Current events across the country have shown the need and benefit for transparency, provided with Body Worn Cameras. Risks associated with ineffective Taser deployments were also evaluated, with concern raised regarding limitations related to close-quarter engagement, penetration of thick clothing, and accuracy.

The agreement with Axon ensures that 100 percent of all sworn officers in Sandy Springs will have Body Worn Cameras. The contract upgrades the department’s Tasers to the latest Taser 7, produced exclusively by Axon. The innovative technology activates the officer’s body camera whenever an officer turns on or activates a Taser. Axon will provide comprehensive training as well as handle the maintenance of the department’s Taser, Body Camera, Dash Camera, and Evidence Management systems. Sandy Springs Police will oversee management of the data collected.