Police Body Worn Cameras: Comprehensive Review of Existing and Ongoing Research

• In Event: Posters II

Abstract

The rapid adoption of body-worn cameras (BWCs) into police agencies has led to an increase in the need for knowledge development regarding the effects, both intentional and unintentional, of this technology. A recent review by Lum and colleagues (2015) highlights the gaps and opportunities in both the existing and ongoing research on body worn cameras. The review identified 44 studies, either completed or in-progress, on BWC issues. As of December 2015, there have been 14 completed studies, and are currently 30 ongoing studies. Some of the most prevalent issues researched include: quality of officer-citizen interactions, police use of force, and officer attitudes about BWCs. Research questions for each of the 44 studies were categorized and mapped, then areas in need of further examined were identified. Some examples of these research gaps include: organizational issues, such as training and investigations, and officer behaviors, such as racial profiling, and compliance with 4th Amendment standards. The present research will focus on an update to the Lum et al. (2015) review and highlight all new ongoing projects in the area of police BWC research and specifically highlight categories of research that have been neglected.

Authors

• Jacqueline Amber Scherer, George Mason University

• Cynthia Lum, George Mason University

• Christopher Koper, George Mason University