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Killeen Police Chief Pete Lopez Jr. announced a contract with Axon Enterprises to upgrade police technology during Tuesday’s City Council meeting.
The technology includes body cameras, docks, virtual reality headsets and tablets under a comprehensive eight-year bundled contract, according to a presentation attached to the agenda.
Lopez told the council that the Killeen Police Department wants to utilize Axon body cameras, a digital evidence management system and real-time data analytics.
“These innovations are intended to improve KPD’s effectiveness and transparency and foster stronger relationships with the communities we serve,” he said.
The initial cost in the first year would be $1.7 million, according to the presentation, but Lopez claims “enhanced capabilities” could save the city $3.1 million over the next few years.
The company also said the move to Axon will streamline nine existing technology functions, resulting in cost savings of approximately $773,000.
Lopez pointed to several gaps within the Killeen Police Department when it comes to technology, including integration, cost considerations, training requirements, ethical concerns, delayed response times and difficulties with crime analysis.
“We care about the quality of the data to ensure its accuracy, consistency and reliability,” Lopez explained, “and data retention issues are our biggest concern.”
He also said ethical concerns are especially important to residents.
“As a city government and police force, we must protect sensitive information from disclosure and unauthorized access,” Lopez said, “and proper audit procedures will ensure that this technology is used ethically and that civil liberties are respected.”
Lopez stressed that new technology provided by Axon will ensure further efficiency.
“Currently, deputy sheriff’s officers spend 22 hours a month on tasks that Axon can automate, such as finding and tagging digital evidence and writing reports, all captured on video from a single camera,” he said. “With a staff of 20 to 50 officers, this amounts to approximately 5,500 hours a month.”
Lopez said Axon would cut work hours per employee to six hours a month, a 75% reduction.
“The efficiency savings created by Axon will provide KPD with an additional 66,000 hours per year, allowing our employees to respond to citizen calls for assistance.”
Pro Tempore Mayor Jessica Gonzalez asked where the data collected by KPD goes and who is responsible for collecting it.
Lopez responded that the data is KPD’s property and is evaluated on a weekly to monthly basis.
