Community Support for Body Worn Cameras

• In Event: Policing with Body Worn Cameras

Abstract

At a time when many communities are questioning the tactics of their police officers and some departments are facing dips in, and in some cases crises of, public trust, many agencies are turning to body worn cameras (BWC) to increase transparency, accountability, and legitimacy. While the research on BWC is growing, there is little information about community support for body worn cameras. This study addresses this issue as part of a pilot study of BWC in Santa Monica, California. It presents the findings from a survey completed by community members regarding their views of body worn cameras and how BWC may impact their decisions to call the police and/or cooperate with the police.

Authors

• Phillip M. Kopp, California State University, Fullerton

• Christie Gardiner, California State University, Fullerton