Merced County Sheriff | Axon body and fleet cameras
A bundled Sheriff agreement includes body cameras, fleet cameras, Tasers, and cloud evidence services. Amendments raised the total agreement value to $11,123,869.92.
How it happened
- Expansion
Board approves a larger Axon package
Amendment 9 adds an upgrade for 290 Tasers, 10 fleet cameras, and 25 body cameras. The bundled contract total rises to $10,528,856.08 and runs through January 14, 2035. [1]
- Expansion
County adds 25 fleet cameras
Amendment 10 adds 25 fleet cameras and raises the bundled agreement total to $11,123,869.92. [2]
What the county bought
On November 26, 2024, the Board approved Amendment 9 to the Sheriff’s Axon agreement. It covered an upgrade for 290 Tasers, 10 fleet cameras, and 25 body cameras. The amendment extended the term through January 14, 2035 and raised the bundled agreement total to $10,528,856.08.[1]
On December 16, 2025, the Board approved Amendment 10 for 25 more fleet cameras. The change raised the bundled total to $11,123,869.92.[2] These totals should not be read as camera-only costs because the same agreement includes Tasers and other products.
What governs recording
Policy 450 directs members to activate body cameras during enforcement and investigative contacts. Recordings are stored in a cloud evidence system, and supervisors are directed to conduct monthly compliance reviews.[3]
The policy sets a minimum two-year retention period for recordings involving force, a shooting, detention or arrest, or a complaint. Other recordings are kept for at least 180 days. Access and deletion logs are kept permanently.[3]
The reviewed records do not separate the agreement price by product or state the current number of cameras in service.
Questions
- How much did the Sheriff's cameras cost?
- The latest reviewed bundled Axon agreement totals $11,123,869.92. That is not a camera-only price because the agreement also includes Tasers and other services. [1] [2]
- How long are recordings kept?
- Policy 450 sets at least two years for recordings involving force, shootings, detention, arrest, or complaints. Other recordings are kept at least 180 days. [3]
- Are recordings reviewed for compliance?
- Policy 450 calls for monthly supervisor compliance reviews. [3]
What we do not know
- How many body and fleet cameras are currently assigned and operational?
- What share of the bundled agreement pays for cameras, storage, Tasers, and other services?
- Which agencies can access Evidence.com, and what have access audits found?
What you can do
Show up
Systems like this one are approved by boards, councils and committees that meet in public. We have not yet confirmed where each of them meets in Merced County.
What we have documented in Merced County →Protect yourself
Practical steps to shrink your personal data trail. Our guides publish at launch; until then, EFF's Surveillance Self-Defense is the best starting point.
Surveillance Self-Defense →Sources
- 1. Merced County Board of Supervisors agenda, November 26, 2024, item 36 · Meeting record · · accessed · archived copy
- 2. Merced County Board of Supervisors agenda, December 16, 2025, item 6 · Meeting record · · accessed · archived copy
- 3. Merced County Sheriff's Office policy manual, Policy 450 · Primary document · · accessed · archived copy
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