Effectiveness of Body-Worn Cameras in Reducing Police Use-of-Force

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Effectiveness of Body-Worn Cameras in Reducing Police Use-of-Force

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Effectiveness of Body-Worn Cameras in Reducing Police Use-of-Force

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

Overview

Police accountability is a long-standing issue in criminal justice, especially in the context of the use of force in police-citizen interactions. Body-worn cameras (BWCs) have been broadly adopted amid mass protests against police brutality in an effort to enhance transparency, curb excessive use of force, and build public trust (Ruth, 2024). Nonetheless, studies on their effectiveness are inconclusive, with some showing a decrease in use of force incidents and others no appreciable difference (Lum et al., 2020). The current study critically explores the role of BWCs in decreasing police use of force, especially in urban police departments.

Background

Historical Context of Policing and Accountability

The evolution of American policing has been marked by conflicts concerning the place of law enforcement in ensuring public safety and safeguarding civil liberties. Policing strategies have traditionally shifted from amateur watch schemes to professional departments, with increasing emphasis on crime control (Corley, 2021; Brunson & Miller, 2023). Nevertheless, racial disproportionality, police brutality, and transparency have persisted as issues of concern. The 1960s civil rights movement brought about structural issues with policing, and these have recently been re-emphasized with incidents such as the George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Michael Brown deaths (Schaap & Saarikkomäki, 2022).

Hope Sr (2021) explains that traditional methods of police accountability, such as internal affairs investigations and civilian review boards, have long met with the criticism of ineffectiveness. Civilian oversight, although intended to foster public confidence, has historically been plagued by issues of transparency and enforcement authority (Meyerson et al., 2021). Alda (2020) explains that BWCs are technology-based intervention designed to deter excessive force incidents through an objective documentation of police-civilian interactions.

Emergence and Implementation of Body-Worn Cameras

The deployment of BWCs among police officers started gaining momentum during the early 2010s, particularly following a pioneering study in Rialto, California, that established a 60% reduction in use-of-force incidents following the implementation of BWCs (Miller et al., 2021). This prompted police departments across the United States embracing BWCs as a component of their policing tactic (Allen, 2021). By 2016, virtually 50% of law enforcement departments had procured BWCs, and large police departments had 80% rates of adoption (National Institute of Justice, 2021). The reason for this investment was to increase officer accountability, increase the quality of evidence, and decrease citizen complaints.

However, follow-up research has given mixed results. While some have found decreasing rates of use-of-force incidents, they have also not found any statistically significant differences (Peterson & Lawrence, 2021; Braga et al., 2020; Lum et al., 2020). There have also been some problems with police discretion in activating BWCs, perceptual bias when interpreting photos, and violations of privacy (Wright & Gaozhao, 2024). The variation accounts for the fact that there is empirical research that explains whether the actual impact of BWCs is actually changing police behavior.

Theoretical Framework

Deterrence Theory

Deterrence theory suggests BWCs can serve as a disincentive to unnecessary force by increasing accountability opportunities (Rios, 2024). Cameras are likely to alter officer behavior because they feel like they are being monitored and misconduct is less likely (Williams et al., 2021). BWCs can also affect civilian behavior, and through this, officers will have enhanced compliance and de-escalation in encounters.

Procedural Justice Theory

Procedural justice theory suggests that fairness in police encounters enhances legitimacy and compliance (Meyerson et al., 2021). BWCs also count as technology that has the potential to lead to procedural justice through ensuring objective recording of police actions (Javaheri, 2024). However, procedural justice can also not be solely introduced through technological interventions but requires more broad systemic changes per certain experts.

Problem Statement

Though body-worn cameras (BWCs) have become popular with police agencies, their effectiveness in preventing police use-of-force episodes is still contentious. While some studies suggest that BWCs lower complaints of force and improve officer behavior (Alda, 2020; Lum et al., 2020), others find variable or zero effects, undermining the notion that BWCs alone can make a real difference to policing practice (Williams et al., 2021; Schaap & Saarikkomäki, 2022). There are certain key challenges that hinder coming to a final judgment regarding the efficacy of BWCs.

1. Inconsistent Effectiveness Across Jurisdictions

While a few departments have reported decreases in use-of-force occurrences after BWC deployment, others have experienced no statistically significant impacts. A study by Lum et al. (2020) found no uniform trend of decreases in use-of-force occurrences among departments. Likewise, Peterson and Lawrence (2021) discovered that BWCs first lowered force events but that officers' behavior returned to prior levels over time as a result of "program fatigue.” Milwaukee Police Department panel analysis equally observed that enforcement context and the discretion of police officers determine how effective BWCs are (Peterson & Lawrence, 2021).

2. Long-Term Impact and “Program Fatigue”

Studies have also shown that BWCs tend to lose their initial deterrent effect over time. For example, a Milwaukee study found that officer complaints decreased by 6% every month upon the introduction of BWCs, but after a few months, the effect plateaued (Peterson & Lawrence, 2021). Wright & Gaozhao (2023) also found that officers will adapt to BWCs and modify their conduct only temporarily​.

3. Community Perceptions and Public Trust

While BWCs are intended to make the police more accountable, their impact on public perception is ambiguous. While there is some evidence that BWCs make the public more trusting through more transparency, others state that BWCs can be used as tools of observation rather than tools of accountability (Schaap & Saarikkomäki, 2022; Farber, 2024). Findings from Meyerson et al. (2021) determined that procedural justice issues—such as whether or not citizens perceive police actions as being undertaken in a fair manner—have a greater influence on public trust than do BWCs alone​.

4. Financial and Policy Considerations

Installation and maintenance of BWCs is also expensive. Agencies must plan for the purchase of cameras, storage, training, and legality (Williams et al., 2021). The National Institute of Justice (2021) stated that agencies that failed to adopt BWCs generally mentioned cost as the primary obstacle. In some instances, cost has led to having BWCs partially deployed, diminishing their impact.

Addressing the Gaps

This project will attempt to address the problem statement deficiencies by taking a mixed-methods approach combining qualitative and quantitative research. The research outcomes will be one contribution to the contentious debate about police reform and the role that technology can play in enhancing accountability and transparency within policing.

Purpose Statement

The purpose of this study is to offer a multi-dimensional assessment of body-worn cameras (BWCs) in local police departments in terms of their potential to reduce use-of-force incidents, their effect on officer behavior, and their influence on forming the public's perceptions of police accountability. With widespread adoption throughout the nation, empirical studies of the efficacy of BWCs remain inconclusive (Lum et al., 2020; Wright & Gaozhao, 2023). Fewer studies identify a significant reduction in use-of-force encounters, while others report little or no long-term effect (Peterson & Lawrence, 2021). Moreover, police officer discretion when activating cameras and public distrust of surveillance complicate measurement of the effectiveness of BWCs.

1. Evaluate BWC Effectiveness in Reducing Use-of-Force Incidents : This will include analyzing use-of-force trends in statistical reports before and after BWC implementation in the NYPD, LAPD, and CPD. The study will employ time-series and regression analysis to quantify correlation between BWC deployment and decreased use of force. It will then compare outcomes among different urban areas to ascertain location-specific variability.

2. Examine Officers' Perceptions of BWCs and Their Impact on Policing Behavior : The study will utilize semi-structured interviews to investigate: the utilization of BWCs to bolster de-escalation tactics and adherence to procedural justice principles; the level to which BWCs cause self-regulation and changes in behavior; officers' attitudes towards having on/off camera policy enforcement mandatory.

3. Assess Community Attitudes Toward BWCs : This will be done by conducting community surveys to examine: Public trust in police both before and after BWC implementation; privacy and surveillance concerns caused by BWCs; and opinion on whether BWCs make police more responsible or a publicity stunt with no underlying change.

Research Design

To facilitate a comprehensive and empirically robust analysis, this study will apply a mixed-methods strategy involving both quantitative and qualitative methods. This approach is certain to deliver a multi-dimensional understanding of the efficacy of BWC through gathering numerical patterns and subjective accounts.

a) Quantitative Analysis: Statistical Trends in Use-of-Force Incidents

The study will compare three large police departments' (NYPD, LAPD, and CPD) use-of-force data across five years (2018–2023) to identify patterns in terms of the adoption of BWC. Descriptive statistics will be used to compare pre- and post-BWC implementation yearly rates of use-of-force. Regression modeling will analyze whether BWC deployment statistically is correlated with less force after controlling for crime rates, departmental policy, and officer characteristics. Further, time-series analysis will aid in the study of longitudinal patterns to establish whether BWC efficacy declines with passage of time.

b) Qualitative Interviews with Officers

In order to access rich qualitative data regarding the officer's experiences using BWCs, 20 officers will participate in semi-structured interviews in an equal mix of officers routinely using BWCs and not. Questions that will be used in interviews include: Officers' opinions about if and how BWCs impact use-of-force choices; degree to which BWCs impact officer discretion and de-escalation tactics; and challenges experienced by officers pertaining to camera actuation, privacy, and procedure by departments.

c) Community Surveys on Public Perceptions of BWCs

A random sample of 50 residents from crime-ridden neighborhoods will be employed to measure the public sentiment regarding BWCs. Topics of investigation are: whether and why trust in police rises or falls following the implementation of BWCs; concerns about information privacy and surveillance by police with BWCs; and perceptions of police fairness and procedural justice in the context of BWCs during interactions with police.

Significance of the Study

This study is very significant as it addresses significant research gaps in the history and provides concrete recommendations for key stakeholders like law enforcement officials, policymakers, legislators, civic groups and human rights activists. Outcomes will allow departments to maximize BWC policy, specifically with regards to mandatory activation policies and storage handling policies (Williams et al., 2021). Outcomes will inform training curricula to reach maximum use of BWCs. The study will also provide policymakers with evidence-based recommendations for mandatory BWC adoption legislation. Budgeting for the cost of acquiring and maintaining BWCs will be guided by cost-benefit analysis. The study will allow advocacy groups to establish whether or not BWCs make the police more transparent or an empty policy with no actual change.

Research Questions

The central research question and its sub-questions focus on understanding the multifaceted role of BWCs in policing. These questions will guide the research and ensure that the study addresses critical gaps in the literature while providing actionable insights.

1. How effectively do BWCs function to reduce police use of force incidents and improve accountability in city agencies? This broader question guides the research throughout, both qualitatively and quantitatively. It wants to know whether BWCs can help achieve their aim of reducing overuse of force and improving police use of force transparency.

2. How do police officers perceive the impact of BWCs on their decision-making in high-stress situations? This question investigates the operational and psychological impact of BWCs on police officers, with particular emphasis on high-tension situations. The answer will help determine whether or not officers adjust their behavior due to the presence of cameras and how that influences their use of force.

3. What is the five-year statistical relationship between the use of BWCs and the rates of use of force? This is a question phrased in a quantitative direction in an effort to ascertain a conclusive statistical correlation between BWC usage and reduced use-of-force incidents.

4. In what ways do residents perceive the role of BWCs towards increased police transparency? This question seeks to determine how the public perceives BWCs as a tool of police accountability. It is crucial in determining whether or not BWCs do enhance trust or be seen as surveillance.

Definitions

· Body-Worn Cameras (BWCs): Small recording devices worn by police officers to document interactions with the public (Campeau & Keesman, 2024).

· Use-of-Force: Physical force used by law enforcement officers during law enforcement interactions (Hickman et al., 2021)

· Procedural Justice: The procedural justice used in law enforcement and legal processes (Meyerson et al., 2021).

Scope and Limitations

Scope

1. Focus: The study is specifically focused on urban police departments, and three large departments are selected for examination: NYPD, LAPD, and CPD. These are typical of large, heterogeneous departments with varying policing styles, offering a broad foundation for assessing the effectiveness of BWC in heterogeneous urban environments.

2. Timeframe: The research will examine data from 2018–2023, taking a longitudinal perspective on BWC implementation. This period guarantees that both short- and longer-term effects of BWCs are captured and evaluated.

3. Population: The research comprises interviews of police officers and surveys of neighborhood residents in areas of high crime. These groups are the stakeholders most impacted by police behavior and transparency, ensuring that the analysis is balanced.

Limitations

1. Geographic Bias: Since the research is being conducted on urban police agencies, the findings may not be applicable in rural or suburban areas. Small agencies may experience different problems in implementing BWCs or various outcomes.

2. Self-Reporting Bias: Police officers will be likely to underreport incidents of use of force if they are aware of the existence of BWCs, which can taint the study's outcome. This bias will be reduced using data triangulation.

3. Data Access: Use-of-force records are limited in some police agencies, which may restrict the depth of data available. All efforts will be made to obtain the required records, but this will affect the depth of the quantitative analysis.

Conclusion

This study seeks to provide a comprehensive assessment of the impact of body-worn cameras (BWCs) on reducing police use-of-force incidents on the basis of their effect on officer behavior and public attitudes. While BWCs are now an international phenomenon as a technology-based solution for enhancing police accountability and transparency, studies till date are inconsistent regarding their long-term impact. By employing a mixed-methods approach that couples quantitative use-of-force data analysis with qualitative insights derived from officers and members of the community, this study will address significant gaps in the current literature. The study results will inform police reform discussions, guide policy decisions on the deployment of BWCs, and provide meaningful suggestions to law enforcement agencies, policymakers, and civil rights groups.

References

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Braga, A. A., Barao, L. M., Zimmerman, G. M., Douglas, S., & Sheppard, K. (2020). Measuring the direct and spillover effects of body worn cameras on the civility of police–citizen encounters and police work activities.  Journal of Quantitative Criminology,  36, 851-876. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Stephen-Douglas-4/publication/336674159_Measuring_the_Direct_and_Spillover_Effects_of_Body_Worn_Cameras_on_the_Civility_of_Police-Citizen_Encounters_and_Police_Work_Activities/links/5f0ca4144585155a552565b8/Measuring-the-Direct-and-Spillover-Effects-of-Body-Worn-Cameras-on-the-Civility-of-Police-Citizen-Encounters-and-Police-Work-Activities.pdf

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Campeau, H., & Keesman, L. D. (2024). ‘Robocops’ in the Making: Reframing Police–Citizen Interactions Through the Lens of Body-Worn Cameras.  The British Journal of Criminology,  64(3), 744-760. https://research.vu.nl/files/289557483/azad059_Robocops_in_the_Making_Reframing_Police_Citizen_Interactions_Through_the_Lens_of_Body-Worn_Cameras.pdf

Corley, C. (2021). Study: Body-Worn Camera Research Shows Drop In Police Use Of Force. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2021/04/26/982391187/study-body-worn-camera-research-shows-drop-in-police-use-of-force

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Hickman, M. J., Strote, J. N., Scales, R. M., Parkin, W. S., & Collins, P. A. (2021). Police use of force and injury: Multilevel predictors of physical harm to subjects and officers.  Police Quarterly,  24(3), 267-297. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Matthew-Hickman-2/publication/344812083_Police_use_of_force_and_injury_Multilevel_predictors_of_physical_harm_to_subjects_and_officers/links/5f9198f9a6fdccfd7b7615f1/Police-use-of-force-and-injury-Multilevel-predictors-of-physical-harm-to-subjects-and-officers.pdf

Hope Sr, K. R. (2021). Civilian oversight for democratic policing and its challenges: Overcoming obstacles for improved police accountability.  Journal of Applied Security Research,  16(4), 423-455. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/19361610.2020.1777807

Javaheri, T. (2024). Benefit or burden? The impact of body-worn cameras on police officers' operational efficiency. https://jibc.arcabc.ca/islandora/object/jibc%3A3573/datastream/PDF/view

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Meyerson, D., Mackenzie, C., & MacDermott, T. (2021).  Procedural justice and relational theory: Empirical, philosophical, and legal perspectives (p. 284). Taylor & Francis. https://library.oapen.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.12657/51160/1/9781000207668.pdf

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Peterson, B. E., & Lawrence, D. S. (2021). Do the effects of police body-worn cameras on use of force and complaints change over time? Results from a panel analysis in the Milwaukee police department.  Criminal justice and behavior,  48(6), 734-754. https://www.academia.edu/download/92224239/009385482097058320221010-1-9tflyh.pdf

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Williams Jr, M. C., Weil, N., Rasich, E. A., Ludwig, J., Chang, H., & Egrari, S. (2021). Body-worn cameras in policing: Benefits and costs. https://www.nber.org/system/files/working_papers/w28622/w28622.pdf

Wright, J. E., Gaozhao, D., & Houston, B. (2024). Body‐worn cameras and representation: What matters when evaluating police use of force?  Public Administration Review,  84(6), 1117-1133. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/James-Wright-Ii/publication/374595806_Body-Worn_Cameras_and_Representation_What_matters_when_evaluating_police_use_of_force/links/664b57a9bc86444c72ef17ec/Body-Worn-Cameras-and-Representation-What-matters-when-evaluating-police-use-of-force.pdf

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