The Las Vegas Body Worn Camera Experiment: Program and Process

• In Event: NIJ Day: Research on the Impacts of Body Worn Cameras at the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department

Abstract

This paper examines the LVMPD BWC randomized controlled trial (RCT) from the program implementation and process evaluation perspective. Police agencies – particularly large agencies – face numerous obstacles when developing a BWC program. These challenges are compounded when the agency is simultaneously involved in an RCT of the BWC implementation. This paper uses data from officer surveys, ride-along observations, analyses of BWC videos, and interviews with officers and police executives to discuss the challenges of equipping officers with BWCs while also maintaining the integrity of an RCT design.

Authors

• William H. Sousa, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

• Denise R. Rodriguez, CNA