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IMPD signs $9.2 million contract for body cameras

The contract will last for 5.5 years and outfit 1,100 officers with body cameras.

INDIANAPOLIS — IMPD has announced a contract with Utility to give body cameras to 1,100 officers who respond to 911 calls. The $9.2 million contract runs for five and a half years.

"After a thorough, research-driven process of gathering community feedback and testing available technology, we are now one step closer to the start of a body worn camera program on the IMPD," said IMPD Chief Randal Taylor. "But this program represents just one of the ways IMPD officers continue working to build community trust. We remain dedicated to serving Indianapolis neighborhoods every day, building stronger relationships with residents that allow us to work together to make our city a safer place for everyone."

Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett announced a $1.2 million investment into body cameras in the city's budget last year. 

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The new contract covers costs for leasing the technology, installing the equipment, technology maintenance and support and cloud-based video storage. It also includes an upgrade in the technology after three years. The technology comes with automatic recording triggers that will turn on the cameras in certain situations:

  • Being within 500 feet of a dispatched run
  • Drawing the gun from its holster
  • Beginning to run
  • Lying flat for 10 seconds
  • Violently shaking, such as during a fight
  • Activating lights and/or sirens in the car
  • Unlocking the shotgun rack

The 1,100 officers set to get the cameras include beat officers, street supervisors and special units. The city said installation will roll out in the "coming weeks," but did not give a specific date. East District officers will be first in line to receive them. The goal is to outfit 10 officers per day.

Lt. Scott Kulig will oversee the body camera program, and he will hire civilians to manage, review and redact footage — a task that will cost the city $159,000.

IMPD is still working to finalize its body camera policy. It is considering feedback from two pilot programs and community surveys. The full policy will be made available to the public before officers begin using the cameras.

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