Tyler City Council Approves Money For Upgraded Tech For Tyler PD

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Society's view on policing has changed quite a bit over the past several years. Most people support the police while others want to defund the police. No matter where stand on the issue, one thing is clear, officers who put on the uniform and badge each day are putting their lives on the line to protect the public and themselves.

The whole routine of policing has changed and as departments are evolving and learning new ways to do an already tough and stressful job, the technology they use to assist them is changing rapidly too. To help the Tyler Police Department stay on the leading edge of technology, the Tyler City Council recently approved quite a bit of funding for law enforcement technology.

Among the technology that Tyler Police officers have been utilizing is - body cameras, in-car camera systems and energy weapons, as an alternative to traditional lethal weapons. The department has been using camera technology for nearly a decade now. Tyler officers have been wearing body cameras since 2014.

Tyler City Council approves a $2,604,499.50 Statement Of Work for equipment upgrades.

The Tyler Police Department will soon receive:

• updated in-car cameras
• integrated license plate readers
• body-worn cameras for every officer
• upgraded tasers for each officer
• storage, hardware, training and warranties

The approved deal will ensure that the department is up-to-date on equipment, services and warranties through the fiscal year 2027 through an agreement with AXON Enterprise, Inc.

Tyler City Manager, Ed Broussard said,

Technology continues to evolve and plays a bigger role in community policing each year. The Tyler Police Department was one of the first departments in the State to adopt body camera technology over a decade ago. This spending will ensure we continue to lead the State in transparent policing.

This package deal will also cover equipment for the Tyler Municipal Court and Tyler Fire Department as well. The Municipal Court will receive new video equipment and tasers while fire investigators will be wearing body-worn cameras and carry tasers now.

With this newly approved agreement, all Tyler Police officers will soon be using the same equipment and will be documenting their interactions with the community with the most up-to-date technology.