Argumentative Essay On Body Cameras

local police force for the past few years.  Starting in the February 2012, every officer on the force

There are three main points supporters argue in this debate of why police should be mandated to wear body cameras. First, supporters state that police body cameras can help solve police brutality. The first police department in the United States to implement police body cameras was in Rialto, California, and according to Al Jazeera America, "The department saw an 88 percent decline in complaints against officers and use of force incidents plummeted to 60 percent" (Demetrius and Okwu 2). These supporters think if we were to implement police body cameras for all police departments in the United States, then these effects on police brutality could be attained nationwide. Second, supporters believe that body cameras will punish corrupt police

For years and years, there have been many cases that police officers use unnecessary force on citizens. Citizens have reported the incidents, taken the incidents to court, and as well as people starting protests because of this. Instead of people feeling safe that the police is around people fear them. There has been a solution that involves police officers now having to be required wear body cameras. The use of body cameras on officers will reduce the use of force and will reduce dishonesty on incident reports; however, officers should not wear body cameras as it is an invasion of their privacy.

One benefit would be that it is valuable in investigations. Whether it is recording statements and eye witness accounts or recording intense encounters, the cameras will be running the entire time in order to show complete transparency on what happens between officers and citizens. Because of this transparency body cameras can help judges refute false claims made against officers or citizens. They also provide evidence that is difficult to refute in court. Another benefit of body cameras is that they would reduce crime, because criminals are less likely to conduct crimes when they are on camera. On the other side of the spectrum, they also keep officers in line. Chavis (2017) stated that body-worn cameras help hold police officers accountable when they use deadly force to subdue a suspect. Chavis (2017) also said that body cameras could deter wrongful accusations toward police officers. After their encounters with citizens, their actions can be reviewed and

Not only can body cameras provide a solution for the “Black lives matter movement” . But can also provide public safety so police officers won't have the argue to use excessive force. ” Officers without body cameras conducted more stops and frisks making more arrest than officers who wore body cameras. ”(Journalist's resource).

Before all else, it would reduce violence between the possible suspect and the police. According to the article, “Justice Department Allocates $20 Million for Body Cameras” by Christina Beck, when the camera are in use, everyone behaves better. Studies show that uses of force were decreased by officers and citizens when body cameras were in use. Additionally, the body cameras would minimize confusion to the public because on camera it would show exactly what happened.

Are you confident that the body camera is keeping both sides honest? Cameras can only show what the camera holder wants us to see. However, on some levels, I think the cameras on the officers can become beneficial because as the public a little more can become seen than just hearing the cops word. William, I worry about the body cameras, when activated because " the cameras can also capture moments after a stressful incident where statements by the officers and the public can be taken out of context and used against the person making the statements." The cameras becoming used as away to cause harm or used out of context is why I am very undecided whether the cameras are the best idea. I am glad that I am not the only one that thought

Body cameras can lastly, justify lethal force made by police. A man got his job saved after shooting a man and having a body camera filming, but first his bulletproof vest had to save him, this man would have lost his job if he did not have a body camera to justify the use of his gun. If someone tries to lethally harm you, you should have the right to retaliate against them, without losing your job. A cop got to keep his job after shooting a black teen as the teen tried to reach for the cops gun. All in all body cameras should be used to keep police safe and be able to keep their jobs.

A study performed by the Rialto CA police department found that the cameras led to an 87.5 percent decrease in officer complaints as well as a 59 percent reduction in use of force over the course of a year. Another important statistic showed that officers who were not equipped with cameras were twice as likely to use excessive force than the officers who were wearing cameras. Officers wearing body cameras will be less aggressive and more respectful when they interact with members of the community. It has been proven that they will be more reluctant to use force unless it is necessary to protect themselves and the public. Having police officers wear body cameras will not only reduce the use of unnecessary or excessive force but it will also be beneficial for the people and the community.

Historically speaking, authorities of the law were never in a position where their professional duties and their character as a public servant of the law were demeaned in a way that there needs to be constant surveillance of them and the people whom they come into contact with. There was never a need of documenting every encounter you had with a civilian before. In this day in age, things have certainly changed, and the past has always been something society likes to change and make better even if it raises concerns. Due to all the violent police stories that has surfaced in the past decade, the idea of having police officers wear video cameras as a part of their uniform while on duty has resulted in a radically divergent account of society’s future. The law may uphold cops to wear cameras while working, but is this really the best decision? This topic is very controversial and may create issues with cops and the civilians they try and protect in the future.

(Weisburg) As a result, studies have shown, that citizens have developed comfort towards officers equipped with body cameras. (Fullerton Police Department) This new found trust has the ability to change the mindset of a community in a positive manner. (Mims) This alone could help revive a community such as Ferguson, that has been in shambles ever since Michael Brown was killed. Officer Drumond a highly respected officer at Sherwood said “I support body cameras and find it very comforting that everything I do is on camera”. (Weisburg) If body cameras can give officers a sense of comfort it can help improve their work ethic as well as keep them relaxed while on shift. This can lead to trust between officers and the community. Ultimately, body cameras have the ability to restore trust in a community as well as keep both citizens and officers acting within the law.

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

In today’s world, body cameras are being worn by more than half of the police officers in the United States. Many people will say that body cameras are invading their privacy and they will cause bigger issues, but others will say that the body cameras are an improvement and will help everyone out in the long run by resolving the issues. Body cameras will prevent incidents of police brutality and improve law enforcement. They should be worn for the police officer’s safety as well as the citizens who are interacting with the police, so that way the footage will show what really happened in a situation.

While body cameras can benefit police tremendously, they can also cause concern for

There is an argument that police officers are getting out of hand with handling arrest. The most recent solution to the problem is having every policeman have a body camera, in order to make the police officer feel as if their every movement is being watched. Recently, there has been discussion if police officers using body cameras is a Liberty Issues and that it gives the police force way too much unchecked power. Some citizens believe that body cameras leads into privacy issues (4th Amendment), violation of civil rights (1st Amendment), and may give too much power to the government (Limited Government via James Madison).