Evesham police recently announced that officers have been outfitted with Axon Signal Sidearm Holster Sensors, as well as new holster systems that support the equipment upgrade.
The holster sensors automatically begin capturing footage from patrol and body-worn cameras without the need for activation. The Axon Signal Sidearm Holster Sensor switches on all Axon body cameras and in-car patrol vehicle cameras within the vicinity anytime an officer unholsters a firearm.
The holster sensor technology is free of wires and cables for maximum officer mobility and creates an audit report on Evidence.com that logs each time the camera was alerted by a Signal Sidearm. It sits seamlessly on an officer’s holster, and according to its developer, AXON Enterprise, officers should experience no difference in their range of motion and the feel of their draw with the holster sensors.
All of the department’s officers currently wear Axon Body Worn Cameras and every patrol vehicle is equipped with the Axon In-Car Camera System. The Signal Sidearm Holster Sensor ensures all situations where officers unholster their firearm will be captured from start to finish without officer activation.
The upgrade in technology will allow officers to act immediately when they don’t have the time to safely activate their camera systems before unholstering a firearm. The holsters will increase officer and public safety while ensuring video evidence is captured anytime an officer unholsters a firearm.
Funding for the new technology was provided through the township’s capital budget for 2022, approved by the township council earlier this year. Police Chief Walt Miller cited the demonstrated effectiveness of police cameras when it comes to documenting escalated situations and settling disputes. He explained that the new holsters are integral to police transparency in the community and confidence from residents.
“We have seen the effects that body-worn cameras and in-car patrol vehicle cameras play in our preservation of evidence,” Miller said. “(The upgrades are) a contribution to (the departments’) building of public trust.
“These holster sensors will aid our agency in our evolution while we build up our established foundation of transparency and public trust.”
Miller also emphasized the importance of technology in keeping residents safe.
“Technology is critical in today’s policing environment,” he remarked. “The service output of our agency has advanced through (the addition of this) new technology.”
