Police request council approval to buy $54,359 Leica BLK360 mapping unit

Captain Steve Compton of the Huntington Police Department told council on Dec. 23 that the department is requesting approval to purchase a Leica BLK360 G2 mapping unit, a high-precision laser scanner used for crime-scene and crash-scene documentation and courtroom presentation.

Compton said the unit "captures millions of data points to create a digital representation" that improves documentation and scene visualization, increases on-scene efficiency, and enhances safety. He stated the purchase price as $54,359.20 and said the full cost would be funded by a Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) FY2024 JAG grant allocated to the police department.

The request included software support, accessories, and training. The resolution to authorize the mayor to enter the contract for purchase was presented to council; the transcript records the departmental request but does not include a recorded council vote in the excerpt.