Officer Perceptions of Body-Worn Cameras Before and After Deployment

Abstract

Over the past few years, several events have highlighted the strained relationship between the police and residents in many communities. Police officer body-worn cameras (BWCs) have been advocated as a tool by which police-community relations can be strengthened, while simultaneously increasing transparency and accountability of police departments. Support for BWCs from the public and federal government is strong, and some studies have examined police perceptions of BWCs. However, comparisons of officer perceptions of BWCs in different departments are lacking, as are assessments of officer attitudes pre-and post-BWC deployment. This study compares officer perceptions of BWCs in three police departments in the western United States between 2013 and 2015, both before and after BWC program implementation. The similarities and differences among officer perceptions across departments are examined, and the authors consider the implications of findings for police departments moving forward with BWC technology.

Examining Body‐Worn Camera Integration and Acceptance Among Police Officers, Citizens, and External Stakeholders

“…For example, the Boston police union attempted to stop the department's BWC program through a federal injunction (Levenson and Allen, ). Gaub et al.’s () comparison of officer perceptions shows that Phoenix police officers were less supportive of BWCs than were officers in neighboring Tempe or Spokane. Moreover, Katz et al.…”

“…White, Todak, and Gaub (2017) found a connection between citizen awareness of a BWC and citizen perceptions of procedural justice. The findings from several studies have demonstrated high levels of both officer (Gaub, Choate, Todak, Katz, and White, 2016;Jennings, Fridell, and Lynch, 2014;Mesa Police Department, 2013) and citizen support for BWCs (Crow, Snyder, Crichlow, and Smykla, 2017;Morin, Parker, Stepler, and Mercer, 2017;Sousa et al, 2018).…”

A randomized control trial evaluating the effects of police body-worn cameras

“…The existing evidence on whether BWCs have the anticipated effects on policing outcomes remains relatively limited (17)(18)(19). Several observational studies have evaluated BWCs by comparing the behavior of officers before and after the introduction of BWCs into the police department (20,21). Other studies compared officers who happened to wear BWCs to those without (15,22,23).…”

Book Review: Ferguson, Andrew G., The Rise of Big Data Policing: Surveillance, Race, and the Future of Law Enforcement

“…He argues that the use of algorithms can also be utilized to flag at-risk officers for complaints and improper conduct. While Ferguson claims field officers and police unions will likely push back against these new mechanisms of oversight, at least one recent research study indicates police officers may not be opposed to these practices (Gaub et al 2016).…”