The Pekin Police Department might potentially purchase body cameras for its officers as part of a larger technology upgrade.
Pekin Police Chief John Dossey said the time is right for body cameras in the wake of George Floyd's death.
"With a lot of the civil unrest that's occurring, and transparency and accountability. I know the Illinois chiefs are pushing hard for legislation to require the body cameras," he said.
Other area cities, including Peoria, already use police body cameras on a wide scale.
A $137,000 package with Axon also would include more digital storage, and new cameras for patrol units and interview rooms.
Dossey said this would get the department's systems all on one platform.
"We're in a unique situation, because there's so many things that tie into the technology we're using," Dossey said. "So we're trying to find, what's one solution that will work together, and have some impact to be more efficient and cost-effective."
The city council also heard a presentation from Axon on Monday, but didn't take a vote on approving the previously-unbudgeted expense. The item will come back for further discussion in September.
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