Conflicts Between The Police And The People

Body cameras can hold police officers accountable for their actions, both the good and the bad. “Continuously wearing body cameras would hold police accountable for their appropriate, and inappropriate, conduct” (Buam). Also when the citizens make accusations they could pull the video from the camera and see whether the police officer did what they said they did or not. “Video recorded by body cams protect any false accusations, misconduct, or abuse

Over the last few years there has been much controversy leading up to the need for law enforcement officers to wear body cameras. This is not only for citizens but also for the officers’ protection. With so much debate regarding police brutality and excessive force body cameras are quickly on the rise. New technology is giving police on a state and federal level a new opportunity to cut back on some of the allegations and negativity we have seen in the last few years. On the other hand it is giving citizens all over the country the safety they should feel when being approached by law enforcement. Our technology has improved significantly over the years and this seems to be something that will benefit everyone.

The cameras are very small portable devices, it’s the size and length of a cigarette stick. The camera is attached to the police officers uniform and sits in a pocket. Usually police officers are required to wear this body camera while they are on duty. The cameras record everything that happens between officers and civilians. The Rialto Police Department was the first to actually use and wear the body cameras in 2012. They did a yearlong study to see the impact of police relations by wearing body cameras. One officer wasn’t feeling too good about this idea because he thought the cameras would be to punish them instead of helping them out. “During the first year after the cameras were introduced, the use of force by police officers reportedly declined 60% and complaints from citizens against law enforcement officers decreased 88%.” This was a yearlong study in which 54 officers had to

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.

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

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.

Law enforcement agencies have been in a heated debate in the use of body cams by the surrounding communities because of the use of force incidents that have occurred in the media. Body cameras are the new age technology that allows law enforcement agencies to record encounters with the community. There are some positives aspects of law enforcement wearing body cams. The body cam allows the officer to interact with residents which will help to eliminate complaints about police behavior and the use of force encounters. The body cam gives video evidence of the decisions made by on-duty law enforcement in violent situations. This helps keep accountability of law enforcement and the ensure that the department and decreases liability. Because the

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

Law enforcement has took hundreds of years to perfect, existing today to provide protection, enforcement of laws, prevent crimes and maintaining order. It has been long argued that requiring officers to wear camera device would have calming effects on both law enforcement officers and the civilians who they encounter. This came to light nationwide after a fatal law enforcement officer shooting in Ferguson, MO., in 2014. After that shooting national law enforcement departments came under fire for excessive force and racial discrimination this continues to grow, boosted by social media. Following a series of high profile law enforcement officer’s shootings, law enforcement departments across the nation turned to wearing body worn cameras, hoping they would limit abuses.

At times, in investigation there can be confusion. This is because often suspects, witnesses, and police officers have different stories, but who is telling the truth? Body cameras can make it faster and easier to find out. In Source one, 'Political Cartoon', there is a drawing of a witness, a suspect, and a police officer all swearing that they "Always tell the truth". Now, in most cases the witness and the police officer have similar stories while the suspect has an entirely different one. This can make it easier to investigate, while in other cases it may be a bit more complex. If the witness, suspect, and police officers all have completely different stories this is where investigation will most likely be harder and take longer. However, if police officers are required to use body cameras, video footage can be played back to

Body cameras can help in many ways. " Body cameras provide richer and more accurate accounts of the incident. " Although this is true, it can be facile and more suitable for the police to gather correct information. Police officers find this a more desirable use because they think that the person who was involved in the situation would tell the

The following is an example of a situation. A police officer who is out on patrol sees a pedestrian acting very suspicious. Even with calling back up to handle the situation, it goes out of control and the civilian attacks the police officer. The officers try to control the civilian, then he is eventually arrested. By the time the case goes to court, the man changes his story and says the officers attacked him. With body cameras on police officers to capture the situation, it can ensure the truth in the situation. Police stations in all the states should agree on letting officers to wear a recording system or body cameras that are the size of a cigarette stick that can be attached to helmets, hats or even the collars on their uniforms. It keeps track of the evidence at the scene, always surveys the actions of the officer and it would enhance the trust of the public.

Khristian, you have given me some valid point in regards to the body camera being effective in law enforcement. By the same token, I do agree that the body camera has made a major impact in the way our law enforcement and correction officer are doing their job. In our line of work we are faced with many challenges and most of it is making sure that we do not violate anyone's rights. Nevertheless, the recording of the daily activities that officers encounter can be used as a training tool for the new cadet to view in their training. The footage of the body camera can also be used to determine the outcome of an arrest that leads to a major conflict that needs some answer of what transpired in the line of duty. I have enjoyed your viewpoint in

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.