Today, law enforcement agencies, or more specifically police officers, are under constant scrutiny from their peers as well as outside sources. Many of these problems arise from how the police treat and deal with these citizens. There is however a solution to these problems, which can not only improve officer safety, but can also protect anyone else that the officer encounters. The solution to this problem is officer mounted camera systems, or better known as body cameras. These body cameras capture almost everything an officer see’s as well as hears. This allows for protection against a police officer as well as protection for a citizen who was scrutinized for something he or she might have done or not. Body cameras are ever increasing in policing and have many benefit’s as well as draw backs. Body cameras in policing are still new, but more and more agencies are beginning to implement this technology into their line of work. At first police officers were very hesitant to wear these body cameras because they were afraid they would infringe themselves and give away their own privacy. Later, as body cameras were beginning to see more use in the work place, officers began to realize that these very own body cameras that they once thought would only cause themselves harm would actual prove to be useful in a variety of situations. Some of these situations can be citizen complaints, to even backing up an officers use of force. Body cameras can be the one sole thing that can give
The social media and the public might want police body cam footage release but sometimes it might be to graphic or controversial. Police body cameras have been a topic since the incident with Michael Brown in august of 2014. Police shot and killed an unarmed individual in ferguson, MO, leading to many people wanting cameras on police. Whether the cameras are a good idea or not this paper will explore the facts and sides of police body cameras. Overall body cameras should be required Because they can save the lives of the innocent, keep innocent people from going to jail, and can help a case as more evidence.
Within recent years there has been much controversy surrounding police officers and whether or not they should be wearing body cameras to document their everyday interactions with the public. While the use of body cameras may seem to invade the public or police privacy. Police-worn body cameras will be beneficial to law enforcement and civilians all over the world. Police must be equipped with body cameras to alleviate any doubt in the effectiveness of officers. Law enforcement worn body cameras would enhance the trust of the public by keeping both the officers and the citizens accountable for their actions, providing evidence, and helping protect them from false accusations, while protecting privacy
In today 's society, one highly debatable topic is whether or not law enforcement agents should wear body cameras. Most cameras used by law enforcement agencies across the country record audio and video, therefore, the cameras see and hear nearly everything a law enforcement officer does. There are many advantages to law enforcement personnel using body cameras while on duty because it holds the officers accountable, is used to document the contact made between the officers and the victims and/or suspects, supports the “use of force” action, keeps the officers and citizens honest, and the videos can even be used for training for other officers.
Across the country a growing number of legislative departments have been debating about the pros and cons of police body cameras. This paper will further explore benefits, as well as the downfalls of using such devices. This paper will also look at specific cases and examine whether or not body cameras were helpful in various situations. It will examine if they were a deterrent in cases dealing with police brutality and domestic violence. It also looks at how they could be misused and assisting some officers in covering up their corrupt behavior.
The dispute of police body cameras truly hit the media hard this week. Blasting from the headlines all citizens were aware that Michael Brown was lethally shot in Ferguson, Missouri. This prompted officers to become fortified with body cameras. This technologically progressive world that we live in today has shaped a world of tweeting, posting and uploading. It’s about time that police departments take advantage of the tools accessible to them, especially with the advancement of equipment. The move forward in technology will help to alleviate speculation on any misconduct perpetrated. There now will be hard honest evidence of any crime committed against a police officer.
Due to devastating events that have taken place between the police and civilians in 2015, law enforcements are finding it liable for policeman to be suited with body cameras. They believe doing so will begin to hold policeman more accountable for their actions, reduce police brutality and crime, as well as shedding light on the good cops still out here.
The body camera has become a popular choice amongst police departments worldwide. The situation of the scenario, and if the officer or suspect acted in the right can be determined from past footage. The cause of the body camera has been the allegations against officers for how they acted in certain situations, as well as for how the suspect acted during the callout. The effect has been officers being terminated due to lack of integrity or situational awareness, as well as officer safety. Suspects have also been convicted of false accusations against a police officer, as well as crimes presented in court, from fights, to officer involved shootings. The body worn camera has benefited both police officers and the general public.
With so many incidents occurring between law enforcement and civilians, it’s about time we have our officers wear body cameras. Law enforcement wants to use body cameras, many politicians are in favor for them, Civil-rights groups are advocating them, and communities that already have a strong police presence in their neighborhoods are requesting that the police get cameras now. With the uproar of law enforcement and the death of many black American’s, body cameras can be very useful. There is always that missing link when trying to put these horrible moments back together. Far too many times we end up with the suspect dead and only get one side of the story. With the use of body cameras, we can now get more insight on the events that happen (Boyd, 2015).
Many Americans have thought about the law enforcement’s limits as it has been brought to people’s attention due to the media. Ideas, such as body cameras used by police, have been debated since it became a realistic option. Body cameras are devices that would be placed on an officer’s body or uniform and turned on when an officer is on duty or approaching a civilian. The technology would be used to determine if excessive force was used when subduing a criminal. Social media has played an enormous part in why the topic of body cameras is being disputed.
Recently some American police departments, large and small, have started employing the use of small body cameras on officers. These cameras are often hidden or otherwise difficult to see and discern. These cameras are costly, often an invasion of privacy, and easily manipulated. There are currently no laws or regulations regarding the use of these cameras, and no real consequences for misuse of them. As such, body cameras on police officers in the US should not be employed.
Recently, authorized law enforcement agencies and police departments are increasingly adopting the use of body worn cameras (BWC) also called as body cams or cop cams. These cop cams serve as a powerful tool to document evidences, prevent misconduct and false acquisitions of abuse by public against police officers as well as a check on abuse of power by law enforcement officers or police officers thus aid in promoting the accountability, transparency in public interactions resulting in good behavior of the community. Despite of the above stated benefits associated with the use of body worn cameras, several questions and concerns are raising
Recently, there has been numerous accusations of police brutality, racism, and misconduct. In some cases the police have acted inappropriately as accused. However, in other cases, law enforcement officers have acted appropriately and followed regulations. But, it is hard to determine if an officer acted properly without actual video evidence. Of course, the officers word should be valued more than that of a criminal. But there are in fact some officers who misuse the law, attack racial minorities, or breach code. Therefore, it has become difficult to determine if an officer acted wrongly unless the officer is wearing a body camera. Likewise, the fact that an officer is wearing a body camera may make officers less likely to behave wrongly and
A developing number of state and province authoritative offices over the United States have been debating the advantages and disadvantages to police body cameras and whether they ought to end up a portion of the standard law implementation officer's uniform. Earlier police divisions were using cameras before the big change. Rialto, California police department has been wearing body-mounted cameras that record everything that happens in the middle of cops and civilians. Police officers have gotten above the law and are now able to abuse their powers as they wish, this truth is to be extremely terrifying. Especially being an African American male in today’s society and see these acts of deadly force being posted on social media affects me every
Essence Nakasone English CP10 30 October 2017 Research Paper Police officers should wear body cameras because the footage can be helpful in communities, and it monitors all police activity. Although people may argue that the police is a lawful force and that they should be trusted, recent acts of police brutality has proven otherwise. The cameras would be useful because it monitors all police activity.
Body Cameras The attention towards the use of body-worn cameras had risen as a result of the increase in the use of violence by police officers against civilians in the past three to four years. During this increase, media has played a large role, airing videos of the incidents and of the protest that followed such incidents. However, most of the videos shown were filmed by bystanders, and only contain fragments of the incident, which can be taken out of context (CNN, 2015). In order to provide a decrease in the use of violence and to have an efficient way to capture visual evidence, police officers should consider using body-worn cameras.