Riverside County Approves $32M Purchase of New Body Cameras For Sheriff's Deputies

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — The Board of Supervisors Tuesday authorized Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco to secure a long-term contract, valued at more than $30 million, for the purchase of more than 2,000 body-worn cameras for deputies.

"The greatest benefit from these cameras is increased technology," Undersheriff Don Sharp told the board ahead of its 5-0 vote Tuesday. "The cameras have been around for 15 years, but it's effectively the last eight years that our deputies have really used them."

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Sharp was questioned by Supervisor Jose Medina about the justification for the acquisitions. Medina mainly wanted clarity on what the cameras are used for, how many are needed and their advantages to the public and personnel.

"These have been 100% helpful," Sharp said. "They've helped us in being able to go back and hold (deputies) accountable for their actions and have also shown when our deputies have done a great job, and maybe where somebody's statement has been false. In use-of-force situations, we can show a recording of the actual event. So there's transparency, and the public appears to be appreciative of that."

Medina wanted confirmation that cameras "are turned on every time there's an interaction between a deputy and member of the public?"

Sharp answered affirmatively, noting "it could be just a public assist call ... or a contact that turns into an arrest situation."

He pointed out that the recordings have aided in investigations, report writing, evidence for prosecutors and "translation," in which deputies who may not speak another language can go back and determine what a witness, suspect or other party may have said during an encounter, using the cameras' built-in technology.

The purchasing agreement with Scottsdale, Arizona-based Axon Enterprise Inc. calls for the company to supply 2,086 current generation cameras — Body 4 Cams — with the most technologically advanced features, complete with support, storage and related services until Aug. 31, 2031.

The sheriff's department last entered into an agreement with Axon in 2021, resulting in the acquisition of roughly 1,500 body cams, along with technical support and replacement parts, that continued until this summer.

The aggregate cost, with contingencies factored in, will be $32.69 million, according to sheriff's officials. All of the funds will be drawn from sheriff's appropriations, not General Fund accounts.

In 2021, following a bidding process that involved six potential suppliers, Axon's products were deemed in documents to offer the highest "operational performance and overall value."

The sheriff's department sought to continue the relationship, without seeking competitive bids now, because the "Axon platform ensures seamless compatibility with the agency's existing digital evidence management system, software integration and established workflows across patrol, investigations and specialty units," documents stated.