WEDNESDAY, June 3, 2026 |
Photo – SPD patch – Bigfoot99 file photo
Saratoga officials approved a 10‑year contract to provide the police department with new body cameras and tasers.
As reported by Bigfoot99 and Bandit102, during the May 6th Saratoga Town Council meeting, Police Chief John Moore asked to enter into a decade‑long agreement with Axon. Chief Moore explained that his department already had two shorter contracts with the law‑enforcement technology company and that the new agreement would combine them into a single long‑term contract.
Under the new agreement, Chief Moore said Axon would provide his officers with new body cameras, tasers, dash cams, and license‑plate‑reader trailers, with scheduled upgrades throughout the length of the contract. At $382,930.14, the chief acknowledged the price was high but explained that the payments would be spread out over 10 years.
The governing body agreed not to vote on the Axon contract until they had time to review the agreement.
The matter was brought up again during the May 20th Town Council meeting. Chief Moore asked the governing body if they had any additional questions about the contract.
Councilman Bub Barkhurst asked about the license‑plate‑reader trailers. He said the technology, which automatically scans every license plate to check for warrants and other law enforcement alerts, has been the subject of controversy after they were deployed in Cheyenne. The Flock‑brand readers share data nationally with federal agencies, including the FBI. In addition, the cameras record not only license plates, but also vehicle make, model, color, and other distinguishing features.
Chief Moore explained that data collected by the Axon plate readers can only be used by the Saratoga Police Department.
Chief Moore said he can control how long the license‑plate data is retained, which is currently set at 30 days.
Councilman Barkhurst noted that Flock is currently facing an active class‑action lawsuit for sharing license‑plate data with federal law enforcement. Chief Moore responded that he would not release the Axon data to other agencies without the Town Council’s approval.
Satisfied with the chief’s explanation, Councilman Barkhurst asked if the contract included periodic technology updates at no additional cost to the town. Chief Moore said it did, adding that the Tasers currently used by his officers are outdated. Under the agreement, Axon would immediately provide new Taser units and upgrade them to the latest model after five years. The chief added that the contract provides for scheduled replacement of all Axon‑brand equipment.
Chief Moore said he will not need any additional Axon equipment for the next ten years unless the town hires more officers. He added that the contract payments will come from money already allocated in the police department’s capital equipment and IT budgets.
The Saratoga Town Council unanimously approved the $382,930.14 10‑year Axon contract. Annual payments are set at $38,277.
