Bedford City Council has unanimously authorized a 10-year, $5.3 million agreement with Axon Enterprise Inc. to upgrade police equipment and technology. The agreement includes the Officer Safety Plan 10 Plus, which consolidates hardware, software, licensing, and ongoing equipment replacement into one contract.

Upgrading Police Equipment

The plan for the police department’s approximately 90 officers includes an integrated system that allows for the collection of data from various sources, including Tasers, cameras, and computers. Bedford Police Chief Bobby LaPenna emphasized the value of an integrated system, stating that it provides a complete public safety ecosystem.

A key feature of the agreement is the Technology Assurance Plan, which guarantees that equipment will be replaced throughout the contract period. This means that the department won’t be stuck with aging hardware, and officers will have access to the latest technology.

Bedford Mayor Dan Cogan added that the financial commitment could help attract and retain officers in a competitive hiring environment. He stated that having top-notch equipment will make the city’s police department more attractive to potential recruits.

Original reporting: Fort Worth Report — read the source article.