The Effects of Body-Worn Cameras on Citizen Complaints: An Organizational-Level Analysis

• In Event: Organizational Dynamics and Individual Discretion: A Top-Down Assessment of Police Practice and Perception (Sponsored by Division of Policing)

Abstract

Despite numerous evaluations of body-worn cameras (BWCs) in police agencies across the United States, few scholars have considered whether agency policies governing their use can have a significant impact on police behavior. Indeed, most studies of BWCs have been conducted in a single agency, making it challenging for researchers to test the effects of policy decisions on officers’ use of force or citizen complaints. To address this limitation, we use organizational-level data from more than 300 U.S. law enforcement agencies to test whether more restrictive BWC policies are associated with fewer citizen complaints. The results are discussed in the context of how agency policy may be used to shape officer behavior and influence police-citizen encounters. By examining the role of agencies’ BWC policies, we aim to provide insights to both researchers and practitioners about the importance of policymaking for new technology.

Authors

• Bradley O'Guinn, University of Cincinnati

• Clay Driscoll, University of Cincinnati