BodyWorn Cameras Issues and Ideas EventLocation Date Presenters
Body-Worn Cameras Issues and Ideas �Event/Location �Date �Presenter(s) � Title, Organization
Body-Worn Camera Topics � Why Consider Body-Worn Cameras? � Research Findings � Concerns and Things to Consider � Lessons Learned � Emerging Issues � Emerging Technology � Technical Assistance Resources � Conclusion
Why Consider BWCs? � BWCs can be beneficial in two ways: ‣ They produce more and better evidence and make law enforcement more efficient. ‣ They support transparency and build public trust. � BWCs are not “the answer” to questions in either case. � BWCs are a new technological tool with promise to be helpful.
Research Findings � Many studies have been undertaken recently. � Methodological rigor varies across studies (no controlled comparative analysis in some). � Scientific evidence of the benefits or impacts of cameras is promising.
Research on BWCs** Country Study Citation England Plymouth Head Camera Project Goodall (2007) Scotland Renfrewshire/Aberd een Studies England Canada UK/US ODS Consulting (2011) London Grossmith et Metropolitan Police al. (2015) Edmonton Police Service (2015) Ariel et al. 10 agencies (2016) Independent Comparativ Evaluation e Design Yes No Yes Yes ** Many studies under way in US and UK
Research on BWCs** Country Study Rialto (CA) Police United States Department United States Mesa (AZ) Police Department Phoenix (AZ) Police Department Orlando Police (FL) Department Spokane (WA) & Tempe (AZ) Police Departments Citation Farrar (2013); Ariel et al. (2015) MPD (2013); Young & Ready (2015, 2016) Independen Comparativ t Evaluation e Design No Yes Yes Katz et al. (2015) Yes Jennings et al. (2014; 2015) Yes White et al. (2016) Yes
Research on BWCs � Early research originated in the United Kingdom. � Most research involves independent evaluations. � Most research involves strong (comparative) designs. � There is a growing body of evidence that supports use of BWCs.
Research Findings: How BWCs May Improve/Benefit Policing Benefits • Community Engagement in Planning/Implementation • Increased Transparency and Legitimacy • Improved Police Officer Behavior • Improved Civilian Behavior • Expedited Resolution of Complaints and Lawsuits • Improved Evidence for Arrest and Prosecution • Police Training – Better Performance
Research Findings: Concerns/Limitations with BWCs Concerns • Civilian Privacy • Notification of Recording • FOIA and Access to Video • Sensitive Populations, Environments • Critical Incidents • Technology Requirements • Cost
Research Findings: Impact on Citizen Complaints and Use of Force Rialto (CA) Police Department � Civilian complaints dropped by 88 percent (24 to 3). � Use of force dropped by 60 percent (61 to 25). Mesa (AZ) Police Department � Civilian complaints dropped by 60 percent among BWC officers (pre-post). � Use of force dropped by 75 percent among BWC officers.
Research Findings: Impact on Citizen Complaints and Use of Force Phoenix (AZ) Police Department Ø Complaints against BWC officers dropped by 23 percent. Ø Complaints against comparison officers increased by 10. 6 percent. Orlando (FL) Police Department Ø Civilian complaints dropped 60 percent among BWC officers (pre-post). Ø Use of force dropped by 75 percent among BWC officers.
Research Findings: Enhanced Citizen Perceptions of Police Spokane Civilian Attitudes about BWCs (n=297) Percent Agree/ Strongly Agree Video cameras should be worn by all officers in Spokane PD. 86. 3 Using video cameras will make officers act more professionally. 77. 5 The use of video cameras will hurt policecommunity relations. 14. 4
Research Findings: Enhanced Citizen Perceptions of Police Spokane Civilian Attitudes about BWCs (n=297) Percent Agree/ Strongly Agree Citizens will be more cooperative when they become aware that an officer is wearing a video camera. 71. 0 Police will be more respectful to citizens when wearing video cameras. 77. 4 The use of video cameras will reduce complaints against officers. 64. 6 The benefits of police using video cameras outweigh the costs. 76. 7
Mixed Findings: More Work to Be Done � � � Ariel et al. (2016) ‣ Under certain conditions, use of force increases (when BWC not activated). ‣ Assaults on officers more common when they are wearing BWCs. Mesa PD ‣ Under a more discretionary policy, the number of recorded encounters declined by 42 percent. London Metro ‣ No impact on officer activity (stop, search, arrest). ‣ No impact on victims’ satisfaction/cooperation.
Mixed Findings: More Work to Be Done � San Diego PD ‣ Increase in lesser forms of force. � Edmonton PD ‣ No impact on complaints or use of force.
Concerns About BWCs � Available costs? funding for initial and long-term � What is your city’s procurement process, compared with BJA requirements? � Internal Union? � Have support among the rank and file? you engaged with important external stakeholders, especially prosecutors?
Concerns About BWCs � Does your agency/city have the necessary technological infrastructure for BWCs? � How do you properly plan and implement an effective BWC program? � Administrative policy and training are crucial. Where can you get assistance/guidance?
Things to Consider � For the officer - Is the ability to review video to assist in writing a more complete and accurate report more important than reflecting capturing the officer’s original and immediate impressions and perspectives about an event? � For the supervisor – reviewing officers’ videos for compliance and training purposes. � For the investigator – visual evidence to review and evaluate.
Things to Consider � For the prosecutor – there is more evidence to review in determining appropriate charges, if any, to pursue; however, more time is needed to review the additional evidence, and storage space is required. � Video retention and deletion.
Things to Consider � Privacy – is this Big Brother? � No one will want to talk. � Punitive use by supervisors. � What if the device fails? � In the majority of cases, video exonerates the officer from citizen complaints quickly.
Things to Consider � BWCs are yet another tool in the police officer's tool box. � Implementation ‣ ‣ of BWC's will require: A sound policy. Adequate training. Constant supervision. Community education and buy-in.
Lessons Learned: Policy � BWC policy must be well thought out. � Privacy concerns must be addressed. � Record/don’t record/officer discretion. � Supervisory review – random. � Supervisory review of video in use of force is mandatory.
Lessons Learned: Potential Benefits of Community Engagement � � � Were community groups introduced to the program predeployment? Were community groups involved in the planning process? Did community groups have a chance to voice concerns/ask questions? Did community groups have an opportunity to review the agency’s administrative policy? Is it publicly available now? Did the agency “market” the BWC program internally and with the community? Does the agency regularly communicate with citizens who are recorded?
Lessons Learned: The BWC is a Tool � Police officers prepare all manner of written reports. � The purpose of a report is to document what an officer observed, what he/she did, and why he/she did it. � The need for accuracy increases with the seriousness of the situation.
Lessons Learned: The Benefit of the BWC � Benefits to officers by documenting actions and behaviors that were often undocumented before. � Benefits to police agencies by improving efficiency (better evidence = better cases) and improving officer training.
Emerging Issues � � When to record: ‣ Significant consideration when drafting the policy. ‣ Ranges from all the time to limited circumstances. ‣ Caution against drafting a policy that: ‣ No one understands. ‣ No one can implement. ‣ No one can articulate. Storage of data: ‣ Can be costly, when packed with services for redaction, data sharing, data management, and software and hardware upgrades. ‣ Determine time limits for expungement.
Emerging Issues � ‣ Accessing stored video: Who can access and for what purpose? ‣ Reporting officer. ‣ Other officers involved in incident. ‣ Supervisors. ‣ Trainers. ‣ Internal affairs. ‣ DA personnel.
Emerging Issues � Urgency to implement can compromise thorough testing processes. � Purchasing the latest and most advanced technology versus basic technology. Should we purchase cameras that exceed human visual capability?
Emerging Issues � “Civilizing” effect on officers and civilians— both are important. � Training � Officer � State and public education. safety should be a positive outcome. legislation (public access, wiretap, retention).
Emerging BWC Technology � Intuitive technology ‣ Automatic activation (policy-based/video triggers) ‣ ‣ ‣ Remotely (dispatch) Accelerometer Voice GEO fencing Sensors in vehicle ‣ Media upload to storage while recording ‣ Live video streaming
Emerging BWC Technology � Convergent and multipurpose ‣ Communications ‣ BOLOs ‣ Officer down ‣ VOIP and text messaging ‣ Evidence management ‣ ‣ ‣ Asset tracking GPS location/history Report generation/alerts Detailed chain of custody Automated video redaction
Body-Worn Camera Technical Assistance Resources � BJA Body-Worn Camera Program � BWC Toolkit � BWC TTA Website � BWC Podcast Series � Procurement � Audits and Policy Compliance
Body-Worn Camera Technical Assistance Resources � Analytics ‣ https: //www. bja. gov/bwc/pdfs/CCCWhitepaperon. Body. Cam erasin. Law. Enforcement. pdf ‣ https: //www. bja. gov/bwc/pdfs/Policy-Considerations-forthe-Use-of-Video-in-Public-Safety_Final. pdf � Impacts on Prosecution and Defense ‣ https: //www. bja. gov/bwc/podcasts/transcripts/Episode 14_ Transcript. pdf ‣ https: //www. bja. gov/bwc/podcasts/transcripts/Episode 47_ Transcript. pdf ‣ https: //www. bja. gov/bwc/pdfs/BWC-NACDLMarch 2017. pdf
Body-Worn Camera Technical Assistance Resources � Victims’ Concerns ‣ https: //www. bja. gov/bwc/Topics-Privacy. html ‣ https: //www. bja. gov/bwc/podcasts/transcripts/E pisode 43_Transcript. pdf � Compendium of State BWC Laws � COPS & PERF: Implementing a Body-Worn Camera Program � IACP Model Body-Worn Camera Policy
Conclusion � BWCs show great promise for helping police officers provide more accurate reports, for assisting in investigations, and for increasing police accountability. � They are NOT a panacea: BWCs are one additional tool at the officer’s disposal. � Without sound and collaboratively developed policies, and if not properly handled, BWCs will likely cause more problems than they resolve.
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