Examining Body‐Worn Camera Integration and Acceptance Among Police Officers, Citizens, and External Stakeholders

Abstract

Research Summary We explore integration and acceptance of body‐worn cameras (BWCs) among police, citizens, and stakeholders in one jurisdiction (Tempe, AZ) that adhered to the U.S. Department of Justice's (U.S. DOJ's) BWC Implementation Guide. We assess integration and acceptance through (a) officer surveys pre‐ and postdeployment, (b) interviews with citizens who had recent police encounters, and (c) interviews with external stakeholders. We also analyze (d) officer self‐initiated contacts, (e) misdemeanor court case time to disposition, and (f) case outcomes. We found high levels of BWC acceptance across all groups. Officer proactivity remained consistent. Time‐to‐case disposition and the rate of guilty outcomes both trended in positive directions. Policy Implications Although the results of early research on BWCs showed positive impacts, the findings from recent studies have been mixed. Implementation difficulties may explain the mixed results. Planning, implementation, and management of a BWC program are complex undertakings requiring significant resources. The technology also generates controversy, so the risk of implementation failure is substantial. The findings from our study demonstrate that adherence to the U.S. DOJ BWC Implementation Guide can lead to high levels of integration and acceptance among key stakeholders.

Where Is the Goal Line? A Critical Look at Police Body‐Worn Camera Programs

“…White et al. () in this issue have improved the discussion of BWC usage in police agencies. Their research and findings will help agencies improve their BWC programs and rollouts of BWCs.…”

“…As White et al. () in this issue demonstrate, there is considerable evidentiary promise to BWCs. Using a BWC can reduce the time to case disposition and the rate of guilty outcomes for a police department, which are both excellent goals for a BWC program.…”

“…White et al. () note in this issue that in Tempe, AZ, this model was followed and that goals were clearly communicated to their officers. As a result, attitudes toward the BWC program improved.…”

“…As BWCs have been adopted by more agencies, a new (but previous) revelation is that videos can be helpful in exonerating officers’ behavior and in generating new evidence. In a final echo of the past, the Department of Justice and many academics (such as White, Todak, and Gaub, , this issue) have pushed for agencies to develop a comprehensive plan for BWCs to improve implementation of the cameras.…”

“…The approaches taken by the researchers were impressive as were the partnerships between researchers and agencies. One such approach is presented in an article by Michael White, Natalie Todak, and Janne Gaub () in this issue. “Examining Body‐Worn Camera Integration and Acceptance Among Police Officers, Citizens, and External Stakeholders” summarizes the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) implementation guide (BJA, ) and investigates support for BWCs from officers, citizens, and stakeholders.…”