Should police be required to use body cams?

2015-06-25T18:19:59-04:00

The rise in police shootings over the last few years has caused many to call for increased accountability of police officers. A recent study shows that only 25% of police departments use body cams. Because they are a relatively new idea there is very little research that proves body cams are actually effective at curbing police violence and they can be expensive to implement.

The ACLU backs the expansion of body cams, but also note they could become tools for the invasion of privacy. "For the ACLU, the challenge of on-officer cameras is the tension between their potential to invade privacy and their strong benefit in promoting police accountability." They recommend the use of body cams with stringent policies as to what footage would be stored and what would be deleted.

Should body cams be implemented by all police departments, some departments, or none at all? Are they useful tools to increase transparency and protect both officers and citizens? Is the benefit of a body cam worth the investment?
https://www.aclu.org/police-body-mounted-cameras-right-policies-place-win-all

Response by Sgt David G Duchesneau made Jun 25 at 2015 6:25 PM

2015-06-25T18:25:53-04:00

Absolutely! It protects everybody involved

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Jun 25 at 2015 6:30 PM

2015-06-25T18:30:14-04:00

Personally, I think as "Public Servants" I think the interactions should be recorded for the benefit of Public Record. Personal Accounts are notoriously unreliable, but cameras don't lie.

Of course there are logistical concerns with implementing it on a wide scale. There are also financial concerns with paying out MILLIONS of dollars on lawsuits. Body cameras have been shown to reduce lawsuits because they calm reactions on both sides.

As for the Privacy issue. When acting as a Public Agent, there is no expectation of Privacy. The Agents are walking around in Public and recording what they could normally see. This is not the same as a "surveillance state" this is documentation of what a sworn officer would normally see anyways. Just like dash cams.

As for whether it should be a State/Local/Federal issue. Of course it should be decided at the lowest level, however... that doesn't mean it shouldn't be done everywhere. Not everywhere needs it immediately, but everywhere needs it eventually. Locales that have huge issues should invest in the tech first, so they can reduce their liability (by being sued), and eventually everyone will catch up.

From an administrative standpoint, the State & Fed can "coordinate" and "testbed" the best way to protect and store the information.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Jun 25 at 2015 6:52 PM

2015-06-25T18:52:59-04:00

I think it is a smart move for police but should not be something that is required above the local level. Additionally, I think we should make it mandatory for criminals to provide video evidence of actual wrong doing or be fined if they are not able to prove the police acted incorrectly. Last, I think the Nation media outlets should be forced to pay for the damages they have incited in recent months.

Response by MAJ Bryan Zeski made Jun 25 at 2015 8:59 PM

2015-06-25T20:59:26-04:00

Police body cameras (and dash cameras) have been shown to reduce police violence against people and have reduced the number of complaints against the police in general. I don't necessarily agree with a federal mandate for it, but I think that the federal government would be wise to provide funding for body cameras with the caveat that if an agency takes the money, they have to use the cameras.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 26 at 2015 10:05 AM

2015-06-26T10:05:45-04:00

In order to protect everyone involved and to make sure you have your own six covered, hell yes.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 26 at 2015 12:17 PM

2015-06-26T12:17:03-04:00

It's costs money but it will definitely benefit the police and community whenever something happens.

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Aug 8 at 2015 4:39 PM

2015-08-08T16:39:24-04:00

Yes, because it may help get to the bottom of the police brutality and murder cases.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Aug 8 at 2015 5:02 PM

2015-08-08T17:02:45-04:00

Yes as many police abuse cases were only brought to light by third party video filming.

Response by SPC Casey Ashfield made Nov 14 at 2017 2:23 PM

2017-11-14T14:23:33-05:00

Yes. The logistic argument isn't even very valid anymore. A very nice body camera (albeit larger and heavier compared to some advanced models) can be bought for $150. And that is retail price. These cameras do not cost thousands of dollars like they did years ago or like dash cameras do. I know of some departments with only 3 full time officers who have more body cameras than people to wear them.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Nov 14 at 2017 4:39 PM

2017-11-14T16:39:21-05:00

"The rise in police shootings due" edit Add in -Due to an ever more violent group of offenders over the last few years
" A recent study shows that only 25% of police departments use body cams. Because they are a relatively new idea there is very little research that proves body cams are actually effective at " edit Add in - ensuring police are not wrongfully accused before, during or even after evidence has been collected and reviewed proving the shooting was justified.

"The ACLU backs the expansion of body cams, but also note they could become tools for the invasion of privacy" Edit Add in, yes the ACLU demands body cams, but only if they get to say what is filmed, when, and used only to impeach an officers job performance, it would be disallowed as in invasion of privacy when all to often the body cam provides evidence of suspect commuting crimes against the officer or populace at large. The ACLU wants its cake but no one else gets a bite.

"Should body cams be implemented by all police departments"
Sure you bet, but don't be surprised when in a few years the ACLU, ANFTIFA, BLM, KKK and other criminal groups call for the removal of body cams and or, the video must always be immediately turned over at the end of a shift to a "community watch dog group" who will decide if the officer should be prosecuted and the evidence of wrong doing by the suspect will be destroyed because it invades their privacy...

Response by CSM Thomas McGarry made Nov 19 at 2017 11:18 AM

2017-11-19T11:18:26-05:00

Actually I'm not sure that your original premise is correct as I don't believe that the shooting by police is on the rise, maybe the sensationalized reporting of it is. I agree that it can protect both the police and citizen but who pays for these body cams especially in small underfunded departments? Oh yes the taxpayers.