Research out of the University of South Florida suggests that police officers may be better at their jobs if they are outfitted with a police body camera.
This study comes on the heels of the recent push by some police departments to limit the public’s ability to access body camera footage here in Minnesota. So while lawmakers continue to discuss availability, one thing is clear – there are fewer complaints against police officers if they wear a body camera during their shift.
Body Camera Study
For their study, researchers at USF tracked 46 officers who were given body cameras and 43 other officers who didn’t wear a camera. The team analyzed police records, officer surveys and incident reports over the next year, and the findings were in line with previous research on police body cameras. Researchers uncovered:
- There was a 65 percent drop in complaints against officers who were outfitted with a body camera.
- Officers who wore a body camera saw a 53 percent reduction in their need to use physical force with a suspect.
USF Criminology professor Wesley Jennings said both officers and pedestrians were more civil when they realized their actions were being filmed.
“Your perceived likelihood of wearing this camera makes you behave more by the book,” said Jennings. “Everybody, officers included, tend to toe the line a little better when they know they’re being videotaped.”
At the conclusion of the study, 75 percent of officers in the camera group said they should be adopted by the remainder of the force. Some officers are offended by the implication that their actions need to be recorded, but the vast majority in the study say they grew attached to their camera. All of the officers in the USF study decided to keep using their body camera at the conclusion of the study, and officers in the control group are asking for cameras of their own.
“We have a waiting list,” said police spokesperson Michelle Guido said. “Because they’ve heard their colleagues talk about how they’ve come in handy. People are always asking about it.”
The police body cameras don’t come cheap, but the Orlando Police Department recently received a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice to help outfit their entire force. Despite their total cost, Orlando police Chief John Mina said he believes the cameras can actually help save the department money by preventing instances of police brutality and by providing convincing evidence to refute false claims against officers.
“(The cameras) will also improve accountability and transparency, protect our officers from false complaints, and provide valuable evidence for prosecutors.”
Related source: TampaBay.com
