Body Cameras Advantages And Disadvantages Summary

Well, having body cameras as part of an officer’s uniform has its pros and cons. 1.The pros about body cameras are that it can prevent violence. A 2013 University of Cambridge study found that when police wear body cameras, both police and respondents are less likely to use violence. The study indicated a drop in use of force by more than a 50 percent. Body cameras could thus make the streets safer for both officers and the general public (Baum, E.,2015).

For officers, body cameras are used to encourage officers to follow department policies and deter the officers from engaging in misconduct, unethical behavior, and in instances of unjustified use of force. For civilians, being recorded during a police contact can prevent them from engaging in violent acts towards other civilians or police officers. Altogether, body cameras can be used to prevent cases of police misconduct, to deescalate situations, and be used as evidence in criminal investigations (David Yokum,

The officer could turn off the body camera during private situations but may neglect the thought of turning the camera back on. Not only is privacy a concern with body cameras, but also the property of the footage. Citizens are concerned that the video footage can be modified, obliterated, or improperly stored by police authorities. An agency, other than the police agency, should control the property of the footage. Therefore, investments in independent agencies should be made to keep police from obtaining video

Reducing Police Corruption In 1990, Metz, suggested several ways which can encourage reduce officers misconduct for example, a. Provide a written code of ethics-these are polices written to guide the police to make ethical choices when situations arise. b. Provide training in law enforcement ethics- these trainings would help the police officers what is expected of them. Malloy in 1982, suggested that a salary increment for the police officers would encourage them to stop taking bribes, also suggested that unenforceable laws to be eliminated, this would help the police officers not to feel too much pressure in enforcing them.

Police officers that make wrong choices tend to be less appreciated by the society, those who make the use of discretion effectively tend to have a positive impact in the community. The article Organizational-level police discretion states that, “officers with a great deal of discretion at their disposal may allow biases to affect their decision making. Such biases could convince an officer that one suspect is more dangerous than another, prompting preemptive use of lethal force, and many of these biases invoke extralegal factors, such as race (Nowacki, 2015, Pg. 646).” Teaching these officers how and when to use discretion is crucial because it will allow them to apply certain strategies to different cases. Officers understand that not all situations will always be easy, either some may be dangerous; others can be simply misunderstandings between cases.

Listening to everyone talk about their jobs, showed educated they were in the field. Also, how much they care of the job they are doing in the crime lab on a daily basic. Hearing about the different stages of what happen to the evidence which come through the lab, was what I was looking forward to learning about. To have the evidence brought in from the crime since, then it is signed into the database, then it goes to the correct lab where it is process. Each lab in the office works on one area and that is all the employees’ work on.

These cameras would protect police officers from false accusations of abuse and discrimination, but would also protect civilians as well (Police Cameras). In addition, on-officer recording systems, which are also known as body cams or cop cams, are small cameras that may be worn as a headset, but are more commonly clipped to the uniform or the glasses. These devices, which record audio and video, were developed as technology improved and is still being improved. Body cameras, which can

The safety of the community is crucial and attempting to deam stop and frisk as unconstitutional limits law enforcement. There is much controversy on how it can target a certain group or race but I believe the goal of any police is to deter crime when implementing stop and frisk. I believe stop and frisk can help reduce crimes and eliminate potential crime in a city, neighborhood, or street. Boyette, C., & Martinez, M. (2013).

With more police department requiring police officers to use body cameras, there has been an improvement with police performance with the community. Police use of force has always been a controversial topic and concern with the community. The fact policing exercising their power to maintain peace, justified or unjustified, could potentially ruin their reputation and trust in the public. A solution to address this issue is requiring police officers to use body cameras as they are able to review the video to correctly determine if the action is proportionate to the situation.

They have been proven to decrease the amount of complaints towards officers and lowering the amount of police force. Body cameras being equipped on patrol officers would make an easier way to prosecute criminals and bring justice. After the fatal shooting of Michael Brown, the use of police body cameras intensified, spreading to different departments across the country. “The use of body cameras by police officers has begun to receive a good deal of attention from police departments, lawmakers, media, and the public” (5 Ways Body Worn Cameras Have Helped Police Officers). While body cameras can be very helpful on patrols and investigations, on duty police officers should be required to equip themselves with a body camera

The civilians saying that the extra eyes make sure they are treated fairly, and the officers saying that the cameras can help prevent them from being penalized for action that should have been taken. On the other end are those still uncomfortable with their crimes being recorded and officers who think that the body cameras are excessive and

There are some studies that reveal that the use of body cameras in the Law Enforcement decrease use of force, discriminatory and excessive police severity when they are working. The complaints from residents also decreased since they are using body cameras. This is because agents maybe are scared of people watching the images of their work, so they act more carefully about criminal policy and procedures. They want to be an example for people and they want the approve of the citizens while they are working. Therefore, there are changes in the action of the agents when they use body cameras, this fact may limit the use of discretion in the field and help the citizens to be more

The main purpose for our criminal justice system should be to stop future crime. General deterrence would be a good way to set an example to communities who disobey the law. Allowing bystanders to see the punishments of crime will instill fear into them, causing them not to repeat the crime they witness. Specific deterrence allows for criminals to still be in society, but every time they think about doing something illegal they will have a negative feeling. These method focusses on educative function allowing people to learn from their mistakes and preventing further complications.

The powerful words “trust, but verify” were once said by former United States President Ronald Reagan. These words need to be used for all situations and people. In order for there to be trust and a way to verify what happens between the police officers and citizens, police body cameras need to be worn. Technology is advanced as it has ever been and there is now a way for police officers to wear a camera right on their uniform. This technology must be taken advantage of for the benefits it provides to police officers and citizens.

Taking a video is a part of most people's everyday lives in America. Everyone uses their cameras for something different whether it’s for a picture with a friend or for a video of their pets. Cameras let people keep memories along with history. The use of police cameras will improve the behavior of police officers and suspects, can make for more accountable reports and be used as evidence in the court, and can reduce the complaints of the public.