Williamsburg drops tasers from police equipment upgrade

WILLIAMSBURG — After three months of negotiating, Williamsburg Police Chief Jason Mochal found a workable contract for body and car cameras for the Williamsburg Police Department.

The Williamsburg City Council approved the contract with Axon Enterprise during its Jan. 12 meeting.

Mochal initially included tasers in the contract, but the cost was nearly $260,000, he said. The city saves $49,600 on the contract with the Arizona-based company by purchasing only the cameras, he said.

Axon will provide new equipment and will refresh items as needed during the 10 years of the contract, said Mochal.

The police chief considered a five-year contract, but prices would have increased substantially with the renewal, he said. The 10-year contract locks in the price for 10 years.

The current contract cost the city about $13,000 a year, said Mochal. The new one will be about $15,400 a year. Mochal will pay off the old contract as the new one begins, he said.

“These guys have the market and they know it,” said Mochal of Axon.

“They have really good equipment. They are way ahead of the game,” Mochal said. “It’s a very good product.”

“We’ll have to look at tasers later,” Mochal said. He’s found a company that sells refurbished ones at a discount.