Microsoft, Taser forge police cloud pact

Microsoft will build a cloud-based evidence management system for police and other law enforcement agencies that use Taser electric stun guns.

Taser X2 smart weapon. Source: vendor.

The system will utilise Microsoft's Azure cloud platform alongside Windows 10 devices and Taser's existing Axon Evidence.com evidence collection platform.

It will have security at the forefront and will be compliant with relevant privacy legislation, the two companies said in an announcement.

Microsoft said it was the only major cloud provider that provides a contractual commitment to the FBI’s CJIS security policy with its law enforcement customers.

“By combining this expertise with Microsoft’s intelligent cloud, device and data technologies, we will collectively bring to life not only the ‘mobile precinct’ approach for positive policing, but we’ll do it within the highest of compliance standards of privacy and security around the globe,” Microsoft said.

A preview will arrive in the last quarter of this year, and the solution will be made fully available to US law enforcement by early 2016.

Taser, the supplier of law enforcement weapons that incapacitate people by delivering large electric shocks, recently branched into digital evidence management, recording video, sensor and other data through the Axon Evidence system.

Demonstration of Taser Cam HD. Source: Taser International.

Taser's X2 and X26P stun guns are deemed "smart weapons" by the manufacturer, and provide data on their use such as when they are drawn and deployed. They can be used with an optional high-definition camera which records when the weapon is deployed.

Axon provides a suite of mobile applications that "augment the body camera experience", allowing officers to capture, view and stream live video from their smartphones.