Beyond Adoption: Sustaining Body-Worn Camera Programs Among Small/Rural Police Agencies

• In Event: Police Training: Technology and Future Practice

Abstract

The use of body-worn cameras (BWCs) has become a widely adopted practice in law enforcement, yet little research has focused on their implementation in small or rural police agencies. This study examines BWC adoption and sustainability through the use of a national survey law enforcement agencies across the United States. Findings indicate that a majority of agencies have implemented BWC programs, yet concerns persist regarding long-term program sustainability. Key challenges include the financial burden of maintaining BWCs, with agencies citing camera replacement costs, digital evidence management and integration issues, and labor-intensive processes of video redaction. These findings provide a clearer picture of how smaller agencies navigate BWC implementation and maintenance, and offer an insight to the practical realities of sustaining these programs over time. This study contributes to the broader discussion on the increasing demand for access to key technology utilized in law enforcement activities and the ongoing circumstances surrounding implementation costs that may be faced at greater proportions by smaller agencies, which often have fewer financial and personnel resources compared to their larger counterparts.

Authors

• Nathan Cronin, Michigan State University

• Jeffrey Rojek, Michigan State University

• Grace Henry, Michigan State University