The Effect of BWCs on Police-Community Relations: Findings from an Experimental Study

• In Event: Police-Community Relations Challenges and Solutions

Abstract

This study examines the effect of BWCs on police-community relations. Participants (N = 234) were randomly selected first, and then randomly assigned to an experimental condition (i.e., notification of BWC) or control condition (i.e., non-BWC). Participants in the experimental condition watched a video involving a citizen encounter with an officer wearing BWC, while participants in the control condition were not exposed to the BWC condition. The data were collected via survey administered to the participants. The results showed that BWCs had effects on police-community relations.

Author

• Mustafa Demir, State University of New York at Plattsburgh