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The Troup County Board of Commissioners has approved the purchase of a dozen new body and car cameras for the Troup County Sheriff’s Office.

TCSO Chief Deputy Jon Whitney said that cameras were needed for 12 patrol vehicles that were recently leased for the sheriff’s office.

“There was an oversight that no camera equipment and body cameras were ordered to come with those vehicles,” Whitney said.

Whitney said they received two quotes for the cameras from Motorola and Axon.

“Motorola is substantially cheaper than Axon,” Whitney said. “For 12 car cameras and body cameras it’s going to be $354,448.80 for Axon. Motorola can give me the same thing for $195,917,” Whitney said.

Whitney said that doesn’t include the ongoing monthly charges, for cloud service to back up all the video and audio that the cameras capture.

Motorola was also substantially cheaper on the service fees. Axon was around $71,000 per month and Motorola is $32,976 a month, he said.

Whitney explained that part of the issue is Axon was offering a Taser within that package.

“When I broke it down, I can buy the tasers cheaper outright than what was included,” Whitney said.

The purchase of the cameras was unanimously approved by the commissioners.

Funds for the cameras will come from monies set aside in SPLOST V.