Cabinet approves AE Tactical for this new technology
NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Minister of National Security Marvin Dames announced on Tuesday that after several months of local testing by different companies, a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the procurement of 200 body-worn and 200 dash cameras, to be used by the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) was issued.
Dames said Cabinet has also approved AE Tactical and its partner, Axon, as the provider for this new technology in the amount of $693,853.
“The contract is being finalized. We expect to sign within a few weeks,” Dames told parliamentarians while giving his contribution to the 2019/2020 Budget Debate.
Body-worn and dash cameras are expected to equip the RBPF’s arsenal of cutting-edge police technology.
Camera footage from these devices will aid in providing critical evidence for internal and external investigations that police officers’ conduct, while offering members of the public an accurate and first-hand account of what transpired during a police-citizen encounter.
Dames alsodirectly addressed the ‘social media surrogates’ whom he said suggested that something sinister was at play in the Government’s procurement of body-cams.
Dames said these persons went on to suggest that body-cams could be acquired through Amazon.com, but he wanted debunk such ‘nonsense’.
According to Dames, the body-worn cameras will be military standard.
The cost, he said, will include equipment that is under warranty; the implementation and integration with other technologies that are currently being used; training; secure storage and a digital management system.
“More importantly, if data captured has to be retrieved for evidence it will be done using a secure and tested platform, created specifically for law enforcement purposes,” Dames said.
“Mr. Speaker, I cannot begin to underscore how important it is for any data being used to have integrity, meaning that only approved individuals can view and perform authorized action on the data.
“Once again suggesting thatsuch sophisticated technology be purchased from Amazon, again what a joke!”
