Committee approves security camera and firearms contracts for county facilities and police

The IRPS committee approved two procurement items: a statewide contract not to exceed $146,741.40 to purchase indoor and outdoor cameras for facilities (awarded to Convergent Technologies) and a statewide contract to purchase firearms, ammunition and accessories (not to exceed $150,074.50) that will modernize duty handguns and outfit current and future officers.

County procurement staff said the cameras will cover multiple departments relocating to 4572 Memorial Drive and that higher-end cameras will be used in utility customer operation areas where cash transactions occur. "The security cameras will serve the entire 35,000 square foot, both indoor and outdoor," an agency official said.

In a separate presentation, the police chief explained the firearms contract includes a trade-in program with Smyrna Police Distributors and will upgrade to modern optics that allow officers to keep both eyes open on the range. The chief said the county expects to modernize approximately 600 firearms with the allocation. "These modern optics allow officers instead of focusing on old iron sights... you can keep both eyes open," the chief said.

Both items were approved by the committee by voice vote.