Boise Police Department moves toward use of body cameras

The Boise City Council approved a preliminary agreement Tuesday with TASER International to provide body cameras for Boise police officers to wear.

The initial investment in cameras and other equipment is estimated at $400,000, with ongoing data storage, maintenance and support services costing and additional $250,000 per year, according to a city staff memo to the council.

TASER International also provides body cameras and data services to the Meridian Police Department and Ada County Sheriff's Office.

This does not mean Boise officers will start wearing cameras tomorrow. In fact, the city hasn't signed a contract with TASER yet, Boise Police Department spokesman Ryan Larrondo said Tuesday. This agreement simply states that TASER will be the city's vendor for the cameras and associated services.

Larrondo said the city will work out details of the contract, such as how many cameras to buy. The city also needs to work out its own policies that determine when cameras are turned on, and what footage is available to the public.

The department is hoping to put cameras on its officers sometime early next year, Larrondo said.

This story was originally published December 1, 2015 at 4:09 PM with the headline "Boise Police Department moves toward use of body cameras."