Revisiting Public Support for Body-Worn Cameras: The Contextualizing Effects of Race/Ethnicity and Neighborhood Perceptions

• In Event: Perspectives on Technology in Criminal Justice

Abstract

Prior studies demonstrate that the public tends to have positive attitudes toward police body-worn cameras (BWCs). However, they also imply that such effects can be dependent on societal contexts. Adding to this literature, this study revisits the effect of the perceived utility of BWCs and prior experiences with the police on support for BWCs, focusing on whether these factors are contextualized by societal backgrounds, such as race/ethnicity and perceived neighborhood conditions. Using survey data from 3,306 nationally representative U.S. citizens, this study employs a path analysis approach to examine whether race/ethnicity and perceived neighborhood conditions serve as antecedents and/or moderators to the perceived utility of BWCs and prior experiences with the police. Findings will provide guidance for shaping future BWC policies and developing effective public communication strategies.

Authors

• Jangwon Kim, Sam Houston State University

• Bitna Kim, Sam Houston State University