COLUMBUS — Bartholomew County will invest approximately three-quarters of a million dollars to continue outfitting its deputies with body and vehicle cameras, following a recent approval by the County Commissioners.
The five-year, $757,000 contract with Axon includes body and vehicle cameras, video storage, and licensing costs. The first year of the contract will cost $127,000, which provides a renewal discount.
County Commissioners President Larry Kleinhenz said the initiative to equip deputies with cameras gained momentum in response to high-profile incidents like the death of George Floyd and subsequent public concern. He noted that at the time, the commissioners reallocated about $1 million previously set aside for courthouse improvements to fund the cameras. Now, the county is committing the necessary funds to renew the camera contract.
Kleinhenz and Commissioner Carl Lienhoop emphasized that the cameras are essential for transparency and accountability, saying cameras are necessary to help protect the county from lawsuits and complaints about what happened during a police incident.
In addition to approving the camera contract, commissioners also approved:
- The purchase of 20 new handguns with sights for deputies.
- A new computer to assist with accident reconstructions.
- The addition of two new sheriff’s vehicles to the department’s fleet.
These investments mark a continued commitment by Bartholomew County to modernize public safety technology and ensure the safety and accountability of law enforcement operations.
