Contract issue delays MPD’s use of body cameras

Police had expected to start Tuesday

The Memphis Police Department did not debut its body cameras Tuesday as planned because of a contract issue, officials said.

“The public information office has received numerous inquiries regarding the implementation of body cameras,” said police spokeswoman Alyssa MaconMoore in an email Tuesday. “Due to issues with the contract that are beyond our control, the body cameras are not in service. Once all issues have been resolved, notification will be given when our department begins utilizing this technology. We appreciate your understanding.”

City officials added that the contract is currently making its way through the signature process and was scheduled to have been signed by Mayor A C Wharton Tuesday afternoon.

The police department expected to outfit its first complement of officers with body cams by Tuesday.

Earlier this year, the city posted a request for proposals, inviting technology companies to bid on a contract that will not only provide body cameras but also dash cameras and vehicle locators for squad cars.

City officials specified that the winning proposal must include 2,150 body cameras, 900 in-car video systems and 900 automatic vehicle location systems. The RFP also specified that the winning proposal must provide for retention of recorded materials for at least 18 months.

The proposals were returned on May 1. Since then, city and police officials have spent the last few months paring down the list.

The city’s nine-member evaluation team reviewed seven companies that submitted proposals: Data911, Digital Ally, Fleet Safety, Insight, L3 Communications, Motorola and Taser. Taser was won the contract.

While the cost associated with those bids hasn’t been disclosed yet, city officials said that early estimates for the project are about $24 million.