St. Charles Approves Police Technology, Training Facility

Sep 8
3 min read

Meeting Overview

On December 7, 2023, the St. Charles Government Operations Committee convened to discuss key initiatives impacting police operations and community safety. The meeting focused on upgrading police technology, expanding regional training facilities, and updating administrative rules.

Major decisions included:

Approval of Axon body-worn cameras, in-car cameras, and upgraded tasers.
Authorization of a Police Firing Range Facility project to serve multiple law enforcement agencies.
Updates to the Board of Police Commissioners Rules and Regulations.

These decisions demonstrate St. Charles’ commitment to modernizing law enforcement, improving officer safety, and supporting regional collaboration.

Axon Technology Project: Body-Worn Cameras, In-Car Cameras, and Tasers

The committee reviewed a comprehensive Axon technology upgrade, driven by the Illinois Safety Act, which mandates body-worn cameras (BWC) for all officers by January 1, 2025.

Key Components

Body-Worn Cameras: 10-hour recording capacity with pre-event recording, 90-day default retention, and flagged incident exceptions. Beta testing among officers favored Axon for ease of use, video quality, and evidence redaction capabilities.
In-Car Camera Systems: Axon Fleet 3 cameras provide front and rear coverage, activate automatically with emergency lights or speed thresholds, and integrate seamlessly with body cameras.
Taser Upgrade: Replacement of older X26P models with Taser 7, offering improved tracking and integration with evidence management systems.

Funding and Budget Planning

DOJ Grant: Covers roughly 15% of body-worn camera costs.
ILETSB Grant (2024): Potential funding for in-car cameras.
Law Enforcement Escrow Funds: Allocated to in-car cameras due to legal restrictions.
Contracts: 10-year camera agreements include equipment refresh at year five; 5-year Taser agreement.
City Contribution: Approximate $1 million cost over ten years; aldermen emphasized long-term financial planning.

The committee approved all agreements, ensuring compliance with the Illinois Safety Act and providing officers with modern, integrated equipment.

Police Firing Range Facility Project

Chief Keegan presented plans for a new 3,600 sq ft facility at the existing police firing range, designed as a regional training center.

Facility Features

Training Capacity: Serves ~30 law enforcement agencies and 1,500 officers annually.
Building Specifications: Climate-controlled environment, virtual simulator room, classrooms, garage, storage, and restrooms.
Funding: Fully grant-funded, including a $1.1 million Deco Grant and private donations totaling $165,000.
Operational Plan: Rentals cover utilities and maintenance; no profit generation intended.
Timeline: Completion expected by June 2024.

This facility addresses training requirements under the Illinois Safety Act and ensures year-round access to a state-of-the-art law enforcement training environment.

Board of Police Commissioners Rules and Regulations Update

Minor updates were approved to align the Board of Police Commissioners’ rules with current legal standards, including:

Gender-neutral language
Updated application and examination procedures

These adjustments were pre-approved by the Board and do not affect operational policies, ensuring regulatory compliance and modernized documentation.

Key Takeaways

The December 7 meeting highlights St. Charles’ focus on:

Modernizing police technology with integrated body-worn and in-car cameras and upgraded tasers.
Expanding regional law enforcement training capabilities with a new firing range facility.
Maintaining compliance and operational clarity via updated rules and regulations.

These initiatives demonstrate a forward-looking commitment to public safety, officer readiness, and efficient resource management.

Conclusion

By approving technology upgrades, a new regional firing range, and regulatory updates, St. Charles is ensuring its police department is equipped, compliant, and prepared for future challenges. These measures strengthen officer safety, support regional collaboration, and reinforce the city’s role as a leader in modern law enforcement standards.