City Announces Purchase of New Issue 4-FundedSafety Equipment for the Akron Police Department
City of Akron Press Release
From the desk of Ellen Lander Nischt, Press Secretary
Published: 05-14-2018
Akron, Ohio, May 14, 2018 – Akron City Council is expected to vote soon on legislation authorizing the purchase of new tasers, helmets, plate carrier systems, and computers for the Akron Police Department (APD). This much-needed new equipment is being purchased with funds from Issue 4, the .25% income tax passed last November in support of police, fire, and roadway improvements in Akron.
The City plans to enter into a five-year agreement with Axon Enterprises, the supplier of Tasers and Taser-related equipment. Tasers are a well-established, less-lethal alternative to a firearm, that have proven to be one of the safer and more effective tools in modern police work.
“Tasers are important tools that enable our officers to avoid using a higher level of force, which can reduce suspect injuries and enhance safety for both officers and citizens,” Police Chief Ken Ball said. “This new agreement will allow us to replace aging equipment and ensure that all uniformed APD officers—including patrol, traffic, Neighborhood Response Officers, School Resource Officers, and Street Narcotics Unit Detail officers—are equipped with a Taser.”
The new Tasers will be connected to an officer’s body-worn camera system via Bluetooth and are designed to automatically activate the camera when the Taser is removed from its holster. This feature is especially useful in dynamic, dangerous situations when an officer may not otherwise have the time or ability to manually activate the camera. The total cost of the Taser equipment agreement is $400,000 over five years.
In addition, the City plans to invest in new ballistic helmets for the Akron Police Department SWAT team along with new ballistic vests to defend critical areas from handgun and riffle rounds. The City will purchase approximately 40 helmets and 8 vests at an approximate cost of $51,000. This equipment will enhance existing layers of protective gear to better safeguard officers from injury when responding to an emergency, including an active shooter situation.
Finally, the City is investing in needed computer systems for new Akron police cruisers. The agreement, with Lenovo Government is estimated at $59,000 at includes 37 computers.
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For further information, contact:
Ellen Lander Nischt
Press Secretary / Assistant Director of Law
166 South High Street, Suite 200
Akron, OH 44308
Phone: 330-375-2325
E-mail: [email protected]
