Contract issue delays MPD’s use of officer body cameras

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 Sept. 1 afternoon.

The Memphis Police Department expected to outfit its first complement of officers with body cams by Sept. 1.

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.