Snowflake-Taylor Police Department (STPD) officers have been testing body cameras, and Chief Larry Scarber was present at the April 25 Snowflake council meeting to request approval of a contract to purchase such cameras from Axon Enterprises, Inc.
Chief Scarber explained that the current contract runs out in June and recommended that the council purchase from Axon, which has made its product a little more robust. STPD will purchase 12 cameras, docking stations and a full warranty at a cost of $8,435.75 per year.
The chief said that this would give the department additional standby cameras so officers would not be without a camera. “At the two and one-half year mark, the company provides whatever their newest equipment is,” said Scarber.
When asked by Mayor Lynn Johnson, Scarber explained the STPD policy is that every time officers pull someone over, they turn on the body camera. “There are times when one officer will forget or times when we simply haven’t had enough cameras,” he said. Scarber said that body worn cameras are beneficial for the community and for the officers as well.
The chief also noted that these cameras will be compatible with the new software.
Councilman Terrill Kay asked if this item had been budgeted.
Town Manager Brian Richards replied that it is in the budget beginning in July, and that Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) funds will make the June payment.
The council unanimously approved a motion by the mayor to approve the purchase contract with Axon Enterprises, Inc. for body cameras.
In other business, Chief Scarber asked the council to approve the RICO grant from Navajo County for $10,000 for body cameras, which will serve as the payment for the first year of the Axon Enterprises, Inc. contract.
The STPD is prepared to submit a grant application to the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety that over the years has paid for such things as overtime, the message board that is often seen on the side of the road and equipment.
“The other thing I’ve asked for is a patrol vehicle,” said the chief, noting that it would be used for DUI enforcement and serious collision investigation.
In order to seek the funding, the council must approve a resolution for the grant submission, which it did unanimously.
The council also approved a request from STPD officers Amity Crunk and Elijah Toth for a waiver of the town policy on nepotism. They plan to be married in June and hope to be permitted to continue their employment with the department.
Scarber said that both officers have special skills that would be difficult to replace, and they both have excellent work habits, and fit well with the agency and the community. The department has invested significantly in Officer Toth by training him as a firearms instructor and he is currently attending SWAT training in Utah. He recently returned from a two-year assignment to MCAT (Major Crimes Apprehension Team), which brings good investigative skills to the department.
Officer Crunk has taken the School Resource/DARE Officer position and is scheduled for two weeks of training this summer.
Chief Scarber pointed out that the cost to hire and train new officers would be expensive.
“I believe even though we’re a relatively small department, we can keep them on different squads, and they would not be supervising or working closely,” said the chief.
“Anything for true love,” said Vice Mayor Kerry Ballard.
Mayor Johnson moved to approve the waiver and the measure passed unanimously.
