Body Cameras Pros And Cons Essay
Body cameras are becoming more and more prevalent with law enforcement agencies for many reasons. The biggest pros to having body cameras on law enforcement personnel is the reduction in unethical behavior while dealing with the general public, quickly determine baseless complaints against law enforcement personnel, and assault against law enforcement by the person or persons they are interacting with (Freund, 2015). Having body cameras can also be useful in gathering video and audio evidence while at a scene that will help in the conviction or acquittal of a crime. My department currently does not have body cameras, but when I worked patrol, reviewing my in car camera after an arrest helped me to see or reminded me of something that helped
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The biggest reason is because I would have nothing to hide and would not take it personal if he or she was to have a body camera on their person because they are just doing their job. If I was involved in a domestic violence incident, I absolutely would want the scene videotaped for evidence because of my career. It is my department’s policy to immediately put their employees on administrative leave during a domestic violence situation. I would want the scene videotaped to help prove my innocence and exonerate me from the false allegation. I do not believe that law enforcement personnel should have the discretion to turn off their camera when dealing with the general public because one of the purposes of having the body cameras is to protect the officers and citizens from allegations of wrong doing. Turning off the camera can be interpreted as law enforcement personnel are being untrustworthy and unethical. I do believe that law enforcement personnel should have the discretion to turn off the audio when not engaged with the general public and talking to other law enforcement personnel. It is my department’s policy that I can turn off my audio when talking to other law enforcement personnel about things that are not related to the scene.
Reference:
Freund, K. (2015). When Cameras Are Rolling: Privacy Implications of Body-Mounted Cameras on Police. Columbia Journal Of Law
The biggest reason is because I would have nothing to hide and would not take it personal if he or she was to have a body camera on their person because they are just doing their job. If I was involved in a domestic violence incident, I absolutely would want the scene videotaped for evidence because of my career. It is my department’s policy to immediately put their employees on administrative leave during a domestic violence situation. I would want the scene videotaped to help prove my innocence and exonerate me from the false allegation. I do not believe that law enforcement personnel should have the discretion to turn off their camera when dealing with the general public because one of the purposes of having the body cameras is to protect the officers and citizens from allegations of wrong doing. Turning off the camera can be interpreted as law enforcement personnel are being untrustworthy and unethical. I do believe that law enforcement personnel should have the discretion to turn off the audio when not engaged with the general public and talking to other law enforcement personnel. It is my department’s policy that I can turn off my audio when talking to other law enforcement personnel about things that are not related to the scene.
Reference:
Freund, K. (2015). When Cameras Are Rolling: Privacy Implications of Body-Mounted Cameras on Police. Columbia Journal Of Law