City Council Hears Police Proposal for New Tasers & AI-Assisted Reporting
On October 15, 2026, Police Chief Gibson and an Axon representative presented Wilmington City Council with a proposed technology package to replace aging tasers, upgrade police cameras, and introduce AI software to help officers write reports.
The five-year agreement would cost approximately $633K, or roughly $126K annually. The department’s previous agreement cost about $40K per year but did not include tasers or the new software. No vote was taken during the presentation.
Gibson said Axon’s Draft One software uses transcripts of body camera audio to generate initial police reports. Officers must review, verify accuracy, and make necessary changes.
During a trial, Gibson said the software reduced report time and captured details officers omitted from their original reports.
“You’re out on a call for 35 minutes, and an officer is expected to remember every little thing within that,” Gibson said.
He estimated paperwork can consume 40% or more of an officer’s day. During the first six months of the year, he said, there were 118 days when only two officers staffed one shift.
The package would also automatically label recordings by case, helping officers and prosecutors locate evidence. Sgt. Couch, the department’s taser instructor, said five existing tasers were inoperable and most were over 10 years old. Couch demonstrated the Axon's Taser 10, highlighting its individually deployed probes, rechargeable batteries, auto data upload, and maximum range of 45 feet.
The proposal also includes new body, cruiser and interview room cameras, along with a cruiser internet upgrade from 4G to 5G.
Council members questioned maintenance coverage, equipment ownership, and renewal costs. Further consideration is expected.
