Body Cameras Don 't Work If They Are Not Worn or Not Turned On After Michael Brown, the unarmed black teen who was shot in Ferguson, Missouri, America made it known that we want police officers to wear body cameras. Police Departments responded by saying they want officers to wear body cameras, too. So, if everybody wants the officers to wear body cameras why are there still so many incidents of questionable conduct that are not recorded? According to the Huffington Post, only 2 of the 27 large U.S. cities looked at had all of their officers equipped with body cams. Those who did were Albuquerque, New Mexico, and New Orleans, Louisiana. Most large cities cite lack of funding as a reason for the delay. On the cusp are Seattle, Washington and Minneapolis, Minnesota. Notable mention goes to NYC and Chicago for making some progress. Boston, Kansas …show more content…
The white officer claims self-defense and was not wearing a body camera. Would we know more if the officer was wearing the camera? Maybe not. Last year in Albuquerque (one of the cities that has all officers equipped), the U.S. Department of Justice took a look at the use of body cams after a report of excessive force was filed and no video of the incident was produced. The DOJ found that the officers were wearing the body cams but were not turning them on. Several cities said they would love to equip their officers, but the $200 to $1000 camera for each officer adds up. Then there is the cost of training, maintenance, and storing all of the video files. The Obama administration promised $20 million, but the money has not been approved by Congress. We may be waiting for some time.
If there were not body cameras the victim would have been considered a criminal. The camera is there to project an officer character. It also came alive because an officer shot Michael Brown and there were all different witnesses that witness different altercation. There was no camera there and people came out to protest that it was a wrongful shooting. If an officer had a body camera in that situation it would be easier to determine what really happens.
According to Body Cam Policy paragraph six “Like the rest of us police officers are bound to remember events in ways that justify their actions.” People are people not everybody is going to remember every single event that took place. That is why having a body cam is the only way to gain the truth with no basis. Privacy concerns most say is important but when trying to avoid another Ferguson event mothers and fathers can say without a doubt that privacy is the last thing on anyone’s minds.
If you pay attention to the news, you have probably heard about police brutality. There are almost constant reports of police abusing their power and, consequently, injuring those that they are meant to protect. Police should not be required to wear body cameras while on duty! Why should they be monitored to make sure that they are properly doing their job? Why should they be expected maintain the same standards that they enforce on others?
YES in fact that’s all it is. There is always more to the story. For example, what suspicion did the cop have to approach the suspect, or was the excessive force necessary because the suspect was the catalyst? I do encourage body cameras, nonetheless there’s not to say that incidents like these won’t happen
Many people suggest that body cameras on police officers are effective in a robust way, but that is not always the case. Police body cameras cause multiple issues not only for the public, but for the officers themselves as well. The negative outcomes out these cameras being put to use on officers outweigh the positives. Many more problems occur when officers using this equipment.
It’s no secret that everyone holds their own opinion regarding the actions of police officers and other positions of authority within these past years, be it positive or negative. From the shootings of innocent and unarmed civilians to disciplinary action being taken against those that haven’t done anything unlawful, there’s rarely a day when the police force of the United States doesn’t find itself involved in some sort of controversy. No matter what side people find themselves supporting in these instances, be it the police or the civilian, it’s true that both sides can benefit from the use of these police body cameras. Police body cameras hold one main purpose and that’s to deteriorate the ever-present risk of unnecessary aggression on
Does police wearing body cameras indeed increase accountability and transparency? There is evidence that shows that when police wear body cameras, it does increase accountability and transparency. Studies have shown that police wearing body cameras not only improve accountability and transparency but also reduce use of force incidents, increase law enforcement and citizen safety, facilitate officer training, and help to develop and build trust between the police and their communities (Macari, 2015; NIJ, 2012; Miller, Toliver, and Forum, 2014). Body camera footage can’t be altered and shows a clear and accurate image of whatever incident law enforcement is involved in. Most offenders and even law enforcement officers act differently when they know they are being recorded.
The officer who shot him was fired three days after Jordan was killed and now faces murder charges” (Body Cameras Help Everyone-Including the Police). This evidence shows that body cameras can be used as evidence to be proven later guilty or innocent. The officer was proven guilty by body camera footage which was incorrect from his
There have been numerous amounts of deaths and accusations between officers and the victims who have had an encounter with them. Many people a questioning whether they want to actually protect them or do these so called “crimes” have to do with a they color of skin. Police are "supposed to be protecting you, but you can't trust them anymore," (A TEXTBOOK CASE FOR BODY CAMERAS) which is true, for the reason being people do not know what goes down between a cop and a civilian. Although you may have witnesses, a small video clip of the encounter, and the statement from the cop but what has been told it not always the truth and what is seen from a screen does not show the full
First, they shouldn’t wear body cameras because it raises high privacy concerns. For example, “Recordings raise high privacy concerns. In some states, anyone can access the video.” (Should Police Wear Body Cameras, pg.23) Also, “Study Reveals Police Officer Are More Likely To Be Assaulted.”
Although officers claim they aren’t as unprofessional as everyone says, many people beg to differ. A lot of people have evidence on how they were mistreated, and how the officers weren’t at all professional. Others have been killed and seriously injured, but the idea is still up in the air after several years. To protect themselves, and others around them, police officers should be forced to wear body cameras while they’re in a case or are talking to a suspect while on duty. Having to wear body cameras would be a positive way to help the authorities to see the truth better than just having to listen to the voice recorder.
Now there is two possible outcomes, there was police misconduct and abuse of power, or the police officer did everything correctly and by the book. Either way there needs to be something that can protect the public from police misconduct and also protect law enforcement from dealing with false accusations that can tarnish their reputation. That is why body worn cameras need to be mandatory for all police officers to wear because it protects the public and the police officers that are wearing them. A couple positive outcomes police officers wearing body cameras is how they can lower police officers misuse of authority and also lower false complaints against officers as well. These are two
Arizona State University 's Center for Violence Prevention and Community Safety on body camera studies, Professor Michael D. White states “Body-worn cameras (BWCs) are perhaps the most debated topic in policing today. Advocates and critics have made numerous claims about the impact and consequences of the technology, but most of these claims are untested. BWCs have the potential to completely transform police-citizen encounters, and in the wake of the shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, adoption of the technology is likely to be exponential. This transformation, in the virtual absence of empirical evidence on BWCs, is profoundly troubling.” So although there are many pros and cons to body worn cameras by police officers, the benefits surely outweigh the negatives and more studies are being conducted to prove
A major benefit for having body cams is the fact that it will decrease the force used by Police Officers. For the past couple of years there has been many videos of Police Officers using excessive force against innocent victims, especially with African Americans. “The notion has been around for a while. But since August 's fatal shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri -- for which witness accounts varied widely -- it 's gained traction to become part of the national conversation about police conduct.” (Brandon Griggs 1)
Speech Outline Title: Body Cameras I. Introduction Attention-getter: Body cameras were used because of Michael Brown’s death and police misconduct. B. Significance Body cameras may increase police accountability and protect them from accusations. C. Credibility: My interest in this topic is due to the latest deadly encounters with police officers and improving the communities’ safety.