Kitsap County commissioners approved a contract Dec. 4, authorizing Sheriff John Gese to purchase and deploy body-worn and in-vehicle cameras for deputies.

Deployment of the cameras and training with the new state-of-the-art cameras will begin in early 2024, a county news release states.

Gese said: “It was a collaborative effort with our county commissioners and deputies, who support these efforts. This is a significant step in our goals to provide transparent and accountable public services and allows us to make a significant technological step forward for evidence collection and documentation of our work.”

The contract was signed with Axon, a major manufacturer of police camera systems used by other Kitsap law enforcement agencies, per the release. The $4.2 million, five-year contract will equip each deputy with a body-worn camera and outfit all vehicles used for patrol with a camera that focuses on both the forward view of the vehicle and the rear seat. The contract also allows the sheriff’s office to purchase the latest camera system that provides high-quality video and audio.

The system is designed for the body-worn cameras and vehicle cameras to work in tandem and along with the patrol vehicle. The system also includes the latest technology in downloading the digital files the cameras create and includes software for searching and redacting video and audio files.

Commissioner Charlotte Garrido, chair of the board, said the cameras not only will increase transparency, “but also the safety of deputies and the public.”