Testing Technology Assignment | College Homework Help
Many police departments are testing technology that puts cameras on the heads/bodies of police officers to find out if police wearing video cameras reduces the use of force in police encounters and/or citizen complaints against police.
The first randomized controlled experimental evaluation of body-worn cameras was conducted over 12 months in Rialto, California (2012-2013). Results indicate that there was a 60% decrease in police use of force, and an 88% decrease in citizen complaints against officers compared to the previous year (Ariel, Farrar, Sutherland, 2014).
A replication of the Rialto experiment was conducted using 7 large and small police departments in the United States and Britain (the largest randomized controlled trial in the history of criminal justice research).
The findings from this experiment also indicate a decrease in citizen complaints against officers (93%) (Ariel, Sutherland, Henstock, et al. 2016); and a 37% decrease in police use of force – when officers recorded nearly every interaction. However, when officers could turn their cameras on & off at will, results indicate a 71% INCREASE in police use of force. Results from this study also show the rates of assaults against officers wearing cameras were 15% HIGHER compared to shifts without cameras (Ariel Sutherland, Henstock, et al. 2016).
C. Discuss at least one other possible concern or “con” that has been raised regarding police use of body cameras from these (or other external) sources. Do you think police body cameras are a good idea? Yes or no, and why? Provide evidence for your position. If yes, which, if any, restrictions should department policies include?
D. Provide references (e.g. peer-reviewed journal article, a trade publication, newspaper article, magazine article, government website, etc.) The source(s) must provide additional information. Provide both parenthetical references (in-text citations) for the information in your answer, and the complete citations in a reference list (see the APA Ref/Citation Help button on the BB menu).
