Study shows pros and cons of police body cameras

(WEAR) – High-profile police shootings have made plenty of headlines over the last year.

In some cases the use of police body cameras proved or disproved accusations of excessive use of force by police.

The University of West Florida teamed up with Florida Atlantic University to study the use of those cameras.

Dr. Matt Crow, one of the researchers of Police Body-Worn Cameras: Perceptions of Law Enforcement Leadership, said this study is the first of its kind.

He said the idea came from a student who was a police officer who had questions about body cameras.

After doing a little research on the body cameras, Dr. Crow realized their weren’t many answers out there about them.

For instance, the UWF police department is made up of 21 officers.

Their job is to protect and serve those on campus.

At the moment, UWF Police Chief John Warren said they’re considering working with body cameras.

“We do not have body cameras right now,” Warren said. “We have tested a few and we are researching some.”

UWF’s Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice conducted the study last spring.

Dr. Crow said the study looks at law enforcement leader’s perception of body worn cameras.

He said 24 high-ranking lawmen in a southern county were asked the pros and cons of wearing body cams.

“There we found that about 50% of them said yes, they were supportive,” Dr. Crow said.

However, a third was not.

Dr. Crow said, “There were some concerns about citizen privacy.”

Most law enforcement officials in the study agreed the cameras would help in the collection of evidence.

Dr. Crow said the goal is to inform decision makers as they consider adopting body cam policies.

“We’re excited about the research and I think the research is important because when we make policies that have costs, it’s important that those decisions are based on sound evidence,” Dr. Crow said.

Chief Warren said body cameras could help train some of his future officers.

He said a set of guidelines is vital to the success of this technology in the force.

“I think there needs to be a well designed policy on when they’re used and how they’re used and how the recordings are controlled and kept,” Warren said.

This study is one part of a multi-year study funded by university grants.

Researcher are currently collecting data from residents and police officers.

They will also conduct an outcome evaluation to determine the impact of body cams on police practices.

If you would like to look at the study yourself, click here.

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