Sikeston City Council approves purchase of 17 new body cameras for DPS

SIKESTON, Mo. -- The Sikeston City Council gave unanimous approval Monday night for the Sikeston Department of Public Safety to purchase 17 new Motorola Solutions' body cameras with microphone.

The advanced system is designed to simplify workflow management and easily store video and audio files, according to Capt. Jim McMillen, who presented the proposal to the council.

According to McMillen, officers began testing the Motorola product in August. While he praised Taser Inc., the current camera vendor, McMillen said the Motorola product enabled the department to consolidate equipment by offering the microphone along with the camera.

Another plus to the new equipment, he said, is it uses Bluetooth technology enabling the system to work with the new fire masks recently approved for purchase. McMillen said this would greatly enhance communication during the dangerous situation fires can pose.

Also, in comparing costs over a five-year contract, McMillen said, the plan offered by Motorola was less expensive than Taser Inc.'s proposal.

The cost with the five-year contract, after discounts, is $72,467 and will be paid through the Justice Assistance Grant, which Sikeston DPS receives annually, McMillen said. With the purchase, there will be a total of 23 of the new body camera/microphones available for use by officers.

The council also unanimously approved the department's request for the purchase of 14 fully outfitted tactical vests and 14 tactical gear bags from First Spear.

"We are at the point where our current gear needs to be replaced due to being at the end of its lifespan," McMillen said, explaining the vests are used by the tactical team during dangerous situations, including serving warrants.

McMillen said DPS chose First Spear because of the technology of their equipment and being the only vendor to make this specific tactical vest and bag.

The cost for the equipment is $16,433.66. McMillen said thanks to donations from several community organizations, including the Sikeston Jaycees, which recently donated $16,575, the costs of the new vests is covered and will not come from the budget.

In response to a question from Councilman Gerald Settles about the old equipment, McMillen said the old vests are used during training scenarios and used by those riding along with an officer when a situation warrants it.

Pertinent address:

Sikeston, Mo.