West U officials approve purchase of additional body cameras

West University Place officials will purchase more body-worn cameras for its police department in 2026.

What happened

On June 22, West U city officials unanimously approved the purchase of three additional body-worn cameras, five tasers and two dash cameras for a contract of $52,000.

Chief Gary Ratliff said it is due to their increase in personnel and fleet. He added that there are currently four contracts for equipment, and this would consolidate them into one.

“We could continue to go as we have been doing à la carte with another contract, making it five contracts that we currently have,” he said. “But if we consolidate those contracts, which is a benefit to us, as well as tax on it, it would reduce the cost from $59,205 to $52,244.”

Council approved the contracts, which would be for five years with Axon, a technology company that supplies law enforcement, military and security agencies with public safety equipment.

Some background

Ratliff said for years, the city has had multiple contracts for body-worn cameras, dash cams and tasers.

“Back in 2020, we purchased 27 body-worn cameras, 24 tasers and eight fleet three dash cameras that have spread across these four different contracts throughout the years,” he said.

The contract will go into effect beginning November 2026 and will run through November 2031.