Argumentative Essay: The Negative Impact Of Body Cameras

Body cameras are certainly gong to have an impact over the next several years. The cost of implementing these devices will be a burden on taxpayers. But the financial will is there to support putting them into service. The media is obsessed with obtaining the video footage anytime there is a shooting as it boosts ratings. Others are obsessed with Monday quarterbacking the incident.

Some benefits will be an excellent way to collect evidence and allowing officers to pay more attention when dealing with subjects. Instead of having to try and take written notes while a victim explains an incident, the officer will have a real time video documentation. When complaints are made against an officer, the camera can discredit the complaint. Some people will not act out if they know they are being recorded. However, the reverse is also true as some become agitated when being recorded.

One procedure that will have an enormous cost is when the video is requested. Tennessee, for example has one of the most liberal requests for information in the union. If redaction is necessary for video files, that process is time consuming and expensive. Also, there will be a privacy case at some point in the next several years as these cameras become more prevalent in law enforcement. I
I conducted a trail period of approximately six months. The particular model I had attached to the front of my uniform centered just above chest level. Even though this device was equipped with a very rugged clip, the camera would most times break off, separating from my uniform when physically fighting a suspect. Obviously, this poses a recording issue, but it also taught me another potential problem. The camera could be lost and found in someone else’s hands. A security function would have to be part of a camera I used so that no one could obtain the video files if found in unauthorized