The city has approved the purchase of 33 Axon body cameras for the Tullahoma Police Department at a price tag of $141,499.

The costs for the body cameras will be spread over five years. Chief Chase Sons noted that just like all other technology, the price for the product has gone up. He noted that the cost includes unlimited storage fees to ensure no video is lost. He pointed out the old cameras have become obsolete since they have about a five-year life span.

City officers have been wearing body cameras for the last five years. “They have to wear them to every call,” he noted.

City Administrator Jeff Damron told the board of mayor and aldermen that the city got a free month out of the deal, saving Tullahoma about $3,000 on the total cost. “It saves the city and the citizens, it’s there for both of our protections. If a citizen calls in with a complaint, we can just pull up the video and see exactly what happened. It saves us in the event of any lawsuits. It brings transparency to the police department.”

Alderman Matthew Bird concurred with the chief’s statement. “The cost is high but it’s a lot cheaper than the lawsuits it has prevented.”