New high-tech equipment is up and running at the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office, as deputies have been issued new Axon body cameras.
The upgrade, which has been in the works for a while, has come with a few challenges.
“While we have run into the usual minor hiccups when undertaking a project this large, deputies are now in the troubleshooting phase to report any issues that arise,” said Sheriff Derek Sanders in a social media post about the new body cameras.
“Our Thurston County I.T. (Information Technology) and Fleet Services Department have been incredible partners throughout this process and deserve much of the credit for the progress that has been made in such a short time.”
He also touted a process that makes it simpler for crime victims and other people to get information to authorities.
“Community Link should also be up and running, making it easier than ever for witnesses and victims to upload evidence directly to their investigating deputy, which can subsequently be viewed directly by the Prosecutor’s Office and the Office of Assigned Counsel with an audit trail for accountability within the (Axon) system,” Sanders said.
The cameras are part of a $4.91 million tech contract with Axon Enterprise Inc., which was approved by the Thurston County Board of County Commissioners at a meeting in December 2024.
The 10-year contract aims to fix reliability and data management issues in outdated equipment, while improving transparency, law enforcement personnel safety and efficiency.
“This is a request for the county to enter into a contract with Axon Enterprise in the amount of $4,911,044.95 over the next 10 years for 100 body and vehicle cameras, 100 tasers and services,” said Bruce Rohrbough, Interim Central Services Director and Fleet Services Manager in describing the contract at the commissioners meeting in December 2024.
Staff writer Kameko Marquez contributed to this report.
3 comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here
Boatyarddog
Thanks TCSO for the atitude of transparency. It is SO important.
Saturday, June 28 Report this
BevBassett
It's about time, and at an apparently excessively high cost!
Saturday, June 28 Report this
Boatyarddog
Thanks for the comment Bev. Hopefully the costs will mitigate LAWSUITS.
Sunday, June 29 Report this