Phoenix Council Approves More Police Body Worn Cameras

By Christina Estes
Published: Monday, October 21, 2019 - 5:10am
Updated: Monday, October 21, 2019 - 8:03am

sergeant talking to officers
Christina Estes/KJZZ
Phoenix Police Sgt. Kevin Johnson instructs patrol officers on how to turn on body-worn cameras on June 20, 2019.

Body worn cameras are on the way for some units in the Phoenix Police Department.

Officers in three units will be equipped with cameras this fiscal year, which ends June 30, 2020. They include the Special Assignments Unit, often known as SWAT; the traffic unit, which includes officers that stop drivers and respond to crashes; and the transit unit, which patrols and responds to crime on bus routes and light rail platforms.

On Wednesday, the City Council approved $450,000 to speed up deployment for the units. The money brings the five-year contract with Axon Enterprise Inc. to $6,179,284. The contract includes about 2,000 cameras and the infrastructure to store and maintain the video. As newer camera models become available, the contract allows for Phoenix to upgrade.

Earlier this year, Phoenix deployed cameras to two crisis intervention squads and patrol officers and patrol sergeants at all seven precincts. Officers are required to turn on cameras when they respond to calls and while conducting investigations.