(9 January 2026 | Source: government procurement portal)
A large-scale procurement is planned in the Kostanay region as part of the 'Digital Policeman' project — the police intend to rent more than a thousand body-worn video recorders with access to centralised video surveillance and management systems.
The procurement involves not only the use of the devices but also the deployment of digital infrastructure and service support for a period of three years.
WHAT EXACTLY THE POLICE ARE PROCURING
According to information posted on the state procurement portal, the customer is the Kostanay Regional Police Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The subject of the tender is listed as rental services for video recording equipment and accessories, including 1,036 body-worn video recorders based on smartphones.
The total cost of the lot is 764,848,275.85 tenge. This price covers the full provision of the service, including the supply of equipment, software and related services for a period of three years.
WHAT FUNCTIONS ARE ENVISIONED
According to the technical specification, the video recorders will be used as part of a unified digital system. The devices must provide video and audio recording, live streaming, the overlay of date, time and officer data onto video, as well as GPS geolocation transmission.
The mobile application includes an SOS panic button function, online monitoring by administrators, and automatic notifications when video recording is disabled or the device is stationary. Capabilities for facial recognition and the storage of lookout notices directly on the mobile device are also specified.
WHAT THE SERVICE INCLUDES
In addition to the devices themselves, the service includes the provision of mobile internet data, connecting the equipment to a centralised video surveillance management system, and integration with the Ministry of Internal Affairs' existing mobile device management platform.
The provision of technical and user support, as well as the application of information security policies, are separately specified. The devices must be under constant remote administration, and their use for personal purposes is not permitted.
PROJECT OBJECTIVES
The tender documentation states that the 'Digital Policeman' project is aimed at improving the personal safety of internal affairs officers, recording official actions, and building an evidence base in conflict and dispute situations.
It additionally emphasises the goal of centralised monitoring of mobile devices and the protection of official data in the event of loss or theft of equipment.
TENDER TIMELINE
The preliminary submission of applications for participation in the tender is scheduled from 14 to 21 January. After the contract is signed, the supplier must carry out software installation, system configuration, and handover of equipment to the customer within 90 days. The service provision is planned for three years.
CONTEXT AND SIGNIFICANCE
The stated sum — 764.8 million tenge — draws attention because the tender provides for the rental of equipment, rather than its purchase. The tender documentation lacks calculations that would allow for a comparison of the rental cost with alternative options, including direct purchase of the equipment.
The procurement conditions also do not provide for comparison with similar projects implemented previously or in other regions, which limits the possibility of assessing the proportionality of expenditure within the procedure itself.