Seaside >> As the city of Seaside winds down its search for a new police chief, the city council will consider approving the purchase of police body cameras and Tasers at its meeting on Thursday.

“I’m returning from Dallas/Fort Worth doing reference checks, as this is written,” said Craig Malin, Seaside city manager, in an email. “The interview panel will be meeting (Tuesday), and I expect to make an announcement by the end of the day.”

The final three police chief candidates are acting Seaside Police Chief Judy Veloz, Dallas Police Department Major Max Geron, and Fort Worth Police Department Captain Abdul Pridgen.

Seaside has been in the process of finding a new police chief since former Chief Robert Jackson hastily retired after objectionable posts were discovered on his personal Facebook profile page.

City staff is recommending the Seaside City Council authorize the purchases, and approving the agreement, with the vendor, Axon, formerly known as Taser.

If approved, the city would enter into a five-year agreement with Axon for the purchase of 40 body-worn cameras, 40 conductive electrical weapons, and implement Evidence.com cloud data storage for the department.

“The contract with Axon will both replace our “Phaser” less lethal devices with “Tasers” and provide body cameras. Axon makes both the body camera and Tasers,” said Malin.

The purchase, including the cameras, Tasers, various aftermarket items and training, is about $308,000. Axon has agreed to amortize the costs over five years, interest free.

In the 2017-2018 fiscal year, the city will pay $88,798 which includes tax and shipping, plus $10,000 for three additional training days, and miscellaneous costs. $54,720 will be due the four subsequent fiscal years with free camera upgrades at 30 and 60 months.

The total five-year cost for hardware, software, training and miscellaneous items is about $318,000, according to the city. And if approved, each year’s cost will come out of that year’s police department general fund budget. There will also be one full-time position to manage the programs and public record requests which was approved earlier this year in a cost-neutral police department reorganization.

James Herrera can be reached at 831-726-4344.