Bartholomew County moves forward with deputy body cams

Bartholomew County is moving forward with a plan to spend nearly three quarters of a million dollars over the next five years on body cameras for deputies and for their patrol vehicles.

The County Commissioners approved the bid from Axon of Scottsdale, Arizona at a special meeting Thursday morning.

The county received two bids for the cameras and after adjusting for replacement costs and a fee that will not be charged to the county, Axon was the low bidder, Deputy Jim Stevens said.

County Commissioners President Carl Lienhoop said that Axon plans to deliver the cameras within 45 days. The company also provides the cameras for the Columbus Police Department, their cameras are compatible with the county GIS system, and the county prosecutor’s office already has the software to view Axon camera footage, Lienhoop said.

The commissioners approved the contract with Axon for just over $732 thousand dollars with a five year payment plan. The first year payment will be just over $224 thousand dollars.