Baltimore To Purchase 3,000 Body Cameras For Police Officers

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Baltimore's taken a big step to placing body cameras on nearly 3,000 police officers.

Alex DeMetrick reports it's picked a high-tech supplier while angling for the lowest price.

Taser Industry's Axon camera system is Baltimore's choice. The company's demonstration video on the internet apparently lived up to real world requirements. Three camera systems were tested by 150 officers over the fall.

"One mistake can cost the taxpayer millions. This pilot program has given us the confidence that we are finding the right solutions for Baltimore," said Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake.

It started with incidents of excessive force by police and the dozens of lawsuits over the years that resulted in the city paying out over $11 million. As body cameras went on the beat, confrontations scaled back.

"I showed up for one call. `Okay, Officer Perrish. Gotta let you know you're being recorded right now.' `Okay good. It needs to be on camera' type of thing. So far, so good," said Officer Hannah Perrish.

"Police officers tell me there's a positive engagement with the community when walking on foot. They say arrestees are more prone to comply with arrests," said Police Commissioner Kevin Davis.

The city has budgeted money for the cameras but is keeping the figure under wraps until it sees what Taser Industry wants to charge.

"If you go into a car dealership and you tell them you have $30,000 to spend, they're going to sell you a $30,000 car," Rawlings-Blake said.

But it's not just buying 3,000 cameras; it's also paying for the system to record and save all those videos for up to four years.

Wednesday, the city will unseal Taser Industry's bid to supply the camera system. It's certain to be in the millions, although the city says it will actively negotiate to bring in the best price.