Deterrence or Self-Awareness? Exploring the Theoretical Implications of Body–Worn Cameras (BWC’s) Using a Randomized Controlled Trial

• In Event: Policing with Body Worn Cameras

Abstract

This research aims at exploring the theoretical implications of police body-worn cameras (BWC’s) using a randomized control trial (RCT.) More specifically, the study aims at exploring whether deterrence theory of self-awareness theory can better explain the effect of BWC’s. We draw on a RCT of 624 drivers in Turkey. Drivers randomly assigned to the experimental group (N=299) encountered with traffic police officers wearing BWC’s whereas those assigned to the control group (N=325) encountered with traffic police officers without BWC. After the intervention, drivers were administered a short survey measuring their reactions to the intervention. Citizens’ responses to the open-ended question were coded first by using three interraters and then analyzed. Overall, our results indicated that deterrence theory explains the effects of BWC’s more than self-awareness theory. That is, BWC’s have more deterrent affect than intrinsic effect on those being watched. In addition, being exposed to the treatment condition increases the support for self-awareness theory whereas not being exposed to the treatment condition increases the support for deterrence theory.

Author

• Mustafa Demir, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey