Antioch City Council approves plan to purchase police body cameras
By Chris Campos article
ANTIOCH, Calif. - The Antioch City Council on Tuesday night unanimously approved a $1.4 million contract to purchase bodycams and in-car cameras for the city s Police Department.
The five-year bodycam contract with Axon Enterprise Inc. was the leading proposal of Mayor Lamar Thorpe s platform of police reforms he brought before the council following the in-custody death of Angelo Quinto in December and another in-custody death in February.
Following the 5-0 vote approving the bodycam contract, Thorpe hailed the victory by saying, Ten years overdue.
Antioch police were one of the last Bay Area departments without bodycams. Police Chief Tammany Brooks said, I want to thank the council from the bottom of my heart.
Antioch police were one of the last Bay Area departments without bodycams. Police Chief Tammany Brooks said, I want to thank the council from the bottom of my heart. The Antioch police chief is refusing a family’s claims Tuesday that his officers’ use of force led to the death of their son. Jodi Hernandez reports.
Axon representatives said they hoped to have all Antioch officers and patrol cars equipped by August. The cost of the bodycam contract will be paid from the city s general funds reserve, according to City Manager Ron Bernal. Mayor Thorpe emphasized that the expenditure will not translate into cuts for police or other city programs.