Throughout the United States, the introduction of body worn cameras ignited an abundance of chaos and controversy in how citizens are approached by police officers. Body cameras can either make or break investigations when trying to manipulate a suspect in seizing contraband, or justifying false allegations. In particular, live video footage tells the truth and further promotes that the police officer is pursuing his or her career with honor, duty, and fidelity. In 2013, a sample of various police departments was used to conduct a survey initiated by Office of Community Oriented Policing Services and carried out by the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF); this focused on body-worn cameras. The results revealed that almost 75 percent of police
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Modern technology has enabled each officer to put on a miniature camera which produces digital video recordings of the citizens’ interactions (Community Oriented Policing Services & U.S Department of Justice, 2014). Body-worn cameras can give an accurate record of police interactions with citizens and encourage cautious behavior that can prevent unfortunate incidents from taking place. The body cameras could also assist to de-escalate heated situations. For instance, a police department based in Rialto, California equipped 27 out of its 54 officers with cameras, and this led to a decrease in police complaints by 88 percent. Therefore, the public would be kept safe through the use of the cameras because they will boost accountability for citizens and law enforcement.
One advantage of body cameras is that the captured video footage can assist to speed up court proceeding by giving indisputable proof of various situations. As a result, court expenses can be reduced because of the increase pre-trial plea negotiations or increased convictions rates. In addition, the cameras will help protect any misconduct, abuse, or false accusations against police officers. However, on the downside, the body cameras could raise issues of privacy for both civilians and officers. In addition, technological issues may arise, and this could prevent proper functioning …show more content…
(2015). Comment, Officer Body-Worn Cameras-Capturing Objective Evidence with Quality Technology and Focused Policies. Jurimetrics 1 (2). 79–112
Geis, C.E., & Blake, D.M. (2015). Efficacy of police body cameras for evidentiary purposes: Fact or fallacy? Research in Brief, The Police Chief, 8(2), 18-19.
Katz, C.M., Choate, D.E., Ready, J.R., & Nuño, L. (2014). Evaluating the Impact of Officer Worn Body Cameras in the Phoenix Police Department. Phoenix, AZ: Center for Violence Prevention & Community Safety, Arizona State University.
Miller, L. (2014). Implementing a Body-Worn Camera Program: Recommendations and Lessons Learned. Washington, DC: Office of Community Oriented Policing Services.
U.S. Department of Justice (2012). A Primer on Body-Worn Cameras for Law Enforcement. New York: ManTech Advanced Systems International, Inc.
White, D. (2014). Police Officer Body-Worn Cameras: Assessing the Evidence. Washington, DC: Office of Community Oriented Policing Services
Community Oriented Policing Services & U.S. Department of Justice. (2014). Implementing a Body-Worn Camera Program: Recommendations and Lessons Learned.
White, D. M. (2014). Police Officer Body-Worn Cameras: Assessing the
Modern technology has enabled each officer to put on a miniature camera which produces digital video recordings of the citizens’ interactions (Community Oriented Policing Services & U.S Department of Justice, 2014). Body-worn cameras can give an accurate record of police interactions with citizens and encourage cautious behavior that can prevent unfortunate incidents from taking place. The body cameras could also assist to de-escalate heated situations. For instance, a police department based in Rialto, California equipped 27 out of its 54 officers with cameras, and this led to a decrease in police complaints by 88 percent. Therefore, the public would be kept safe through the use of the cameras because they will boost accountability for citizens and law enforcement.
One advantage of body cameras is that the captured video footage can assist to speed up court proceeding by giving indisputable proof of various situations. As a result, court expenses can be reduced because of the increase pre-trial plea negotiations or increased convictions rates. In addition, the cameras will help protect any misconduct, abuse, or false accusations against police officers. However, on the downside, the body cameras could raise issues of privacy for both civilians and officers. In addition, technological issues may arise, and this could prevent proper functioning …show more content…
(2015). Comment, Officer Body-Worn Cameras-Capturing Objective Evidence with Quality Technology and Focused Policies. Jurimetrics 1 (2). 79–112
Geis, C.E., & Blake, D.M. (2015). Efficacy of police body cameras for evidentiary purposes: Fact or fallacy? Research in Brief, The Police Chief, 8(2), 18-19.
Katz, C.M., Choate, D.E., Ready, J.R., & Nuño, L. (2014). Evaluating the Impact of Officer Worn Body Cameras in the Phoenix Police Department. Phoenix, AZ: Center for Violence Prevention & Community Safety, Arizona State University.
Miller, L. (2014). Implementing a Body-Worn Camera Program: Recommendations and Lessons Learned. Washington, DC: Office of Community Oriented Policing Services.
U.S. Department of Justice (2012). A Primer on Body-Worn Cameras for Law Enforcement. New York: ManTech Advanced Systems International, Inc.
White, D. (2014). Police Officer Body-Worn Cameras: Assessing the Evidence. Washington, DC: Office of Community Oriented Policing Services
Community Oriented Policing Services & U.S. Department of Justice. (2014). Implementing a Body-Worn Camera Program: Recommendations and Lessons Learned.
White, D. M. (2014). Police Officer Body-Worn Cameras: Assessing the