$10.6M Boosts Kennewick's AI-Driven Law Enforcement Tech

Kennewick Police Department Receives Major Technology Upgrade

Kennewick police are set to receive a significant technology upgrade in the coming year, marking a major step forward for law enforcement in the city. This enhancement comes through an amended 10-year, $10.6 million contract with Axon Enterprises, a company known for its widely used electroshock weapons and other law enforcement technologies.

The new contract will provide the department with access to a range of advanced tools and systems, including:

• New Taser 10 weapons and virtual reality training
• AI-powered report drafting and language translation technologies
• Body and fleet cameras with livestream camera access technology
• Enhanced public records management systems
• U.S.-made drone and de-drone technology

Police Chief Chris Guerrero described the contract amendment as "probably the biggest advancement that I've seen for public safety, officer safety and public engagement" in his 29-year career. He acknowledged concerns about privacy and surveillance but emphasized the department's commitment to transparency.

"We understand the concern with Big Brother: Who's watching what and why. That is not our practice," Guerrero said at a Nov. 25 city council study session. He referenced Flock Safety, the automatic license plate technology that has been in the news for its access by federal immigration enforcement.

Guerrero explained that the use of the technology would be based on key, specific information, such as active investigations. "We're not just tracking random people," he added.

The city council unanimously approved the contract amendment this week. The department will begin rolling out the new technology in January, starting with smarter body cameras and Tasers with a 45-foot reach. A new "real time information center" will track video feeds and information from cameras and drones during dispatch calls.

In 2027, Guerrero plans to launch a campaign called "connect Kennewick," which will involve providing partner governments and businesses with cameras that the department can access in real-time during crimes.

The previous 2021-26 contract with Axon included access to a cloud-based digital evidence platform, Taser 7s, body and fleet cameras, and redaction software. Axon is the Scottsdale-based company known for its electroshock weapon.

Guerrero highlighted the company's Draft One technology as a game-changer for officers. It uses artificial intelligence to summarize body-worn audio recordings, though officers will still need to review and edit the reports before submission.

"This is not generative AI," Guerrero said. "So, this is AI that's captured only within that crime, only within our sandbox. This is not grabbing info from the web. It's not doing any of that. It is only specific to our arena."

Most of the technology data is retained for only 30 days unless it's part of an open investigation, according to Guerrero.

Kennewick's Axon contract will be funded by about $1 million annually from a portion of its Capital Improvement Program, as well as leftover American Rescue Plan Act money in 2026. Revenues in the capital improvement program were freed up after the city council created a transportation benefit district to increase its sales tax this year and pay for pavement improvements.

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