The Debate Over Body Cameras Trust between the police and the public is at an all time low due to the criticism of the use of fatal force by police. Mutual trust between the community and the police force is essential to maintaining public safety and proper policing. Although police officers are entitled to their privacy, they should be required to wear body cameras because they improve the public’s trust in the police force, they can be used to provide critical evidence in criminal court cases and they ensure that the rights of citizens are protected. Various studies have been conducted regarding the use of body cameras, all of which have had results supporting the use of body cameras. According to the studies that have been conducted,
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Tod Burke, a professor of criminal justice and former police officer explained how body cameras are essential to building the trust between the community and the police force so the community feels the police are being completely open and not trying to conceal information. (Bruinius) Not only can body cameras be used to improve reputation of police officers among the community but it can also be used to exonerate police officers in court cases. An example of this can be seen in Cleveland of March 11, 2016, when Theodore Johnson began to open fire on police officers without reason. Four Cleveland police officers involved in the shooting jobs were saved due to the footage displayed on their body cameras because they were able to develop a strong case with evidence justifying why force was used on the civilian (Gass). Opposed to popular belief, Police dashboard cameras [...] have been in use by some law enforcement agencies since the mid-1990s”(Police and Body Cameras). Many arguments opposed to the use of arguments revolve around privacy, however police have been overseen for years past and nothing has been said regarding them feeling as though their privacy is compromised in any way. Therefore, arguments claiming body cameras are a breach of privacy are null considering the jobs of police have …show more content…
If communities are displeased with the actions of police or if police are frequently engaging in questionable choices while on duty, then the use of body cameras is justified. The cameras are not only have a direct impact on the complaints from the public, but they also make a significant headway in repairing the relationship between police officers and their communities. Furthermore, they can be used to exonerate and protect police officers from wrongful accusations. After reviewing extensive sources regarding the use of body cameras the conclusion can be made that although controversial, body cameras increase trust in police officers, and protect both the citizens and the police that protect and serve their
Tod Burke, a professor of criminal justice and former police officer explained how body cameras are essential to building the trust between the community and the police force so the community feels the police are being completely open and not trying to conceal information. (Bruinius) Not only can body cameras be used to improve reputation of police officers among the community but it can also be used to exonerate police officers in court cases. An example of this can be seen in Cleveland of March 11, 2016, when Theodore Johnson began to open fire on police officers without reason. Four Cleveland police officers involved in the shooting jobs were saved due to the footage displayed on their body cameras because they were able to develop a strong case with evidence justifying why force was used on the civilian (Gass). Opposed to popular belief, Police dashboard cameras [...] have been in use by some law enforcement agencies since the mid-1990s”(Police and Body Cameras). Many arguments opposed to the use of arguments revolve around privacy, however police have been overseen for years past and nothing has been said regarding them feeling as though their privacy is compromised in any way. Therefore, arguments claiming body cameras are a breach of privacy are null considering the jobs of police have …show more content…
If communities are displeased with the actions of police or if police are frequently engaging in questionable choices while on duty, then the use of body cameras is justified. The cameras are not only have a direct impact on the complaints from the public, but they also make a significant headway in repairing the relationship between police officers and their communities. Furthermore, they can be used to exonerate and protect police officers from wrongful accusations. After reviewing extensive sources regarding the use of body cameras the conclusion can be made that although controversial, body cameras increase trust in police officers, and protect both the citizens and the police that protect and serve their