Use of electronic devices and cameras as they relate to policing

Research problem

At a time when claims of police arbitrary shooting of civilians and the ensuing protests like in the case of Michael Brown in Ferguson , there have been increase advocacy for a mandate adoption of body-worn cameras to enhance transparency and accountability during police-civilians interactions. However, there is little knowledge on the potential long-run effect of using the body-worn cameras .In addition, the installation of surveillance cameras in urban centers and residence areas has raised fears that the placement of these devices is likely to go beyond the intended mandate.  The cameras have the potential to create unintended good or bad impacts, with the possibility of improved security in places outside the cameras’ view and likelihood of the devices promoting a sense of false security so that police and citizens become less cautious.  In addition, the indiscriminate collection of information on citizens that are law-abiding, even though well-intentioned, has the possibility of being misused.  Nonetheless, it has been argued that the use of innovative technological devices can help in the organization and the administration of police.

Background of research

 Studies have been done on the impact of using body-worn-cameras by police-public encounters and the arising complaints.  In one study, empirical testing of the collected data has shown that the possibility of using force by the police reduced since the number of complaints filed against law enforcement officers dropped significantly.  The use of cameras has impacts on encounters between police and citizen either because influence the suspects’ conducts which results to officers moderated need for forceful reaction or influence the officers’ conducts so that they do not act with excessive force irrespective of demeanor portrayed by the suspect (Ariel, Farrar, & Sutherland, 2015).  Recently, the use of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras has seen sustained and remarkable growth with an aim of crime prevention in public places mostly in Western nations including USA. As the expansions continues there has been increased concerns regarding how efficient they are and related social costs.  This calls for the adoption of more evidence-based approach that will inform the practice and policy of CCTV use (Welsh & Farrington, 2009).  CCTV has been shown to have a possible and modest, but considerable reduction in crime in places such as car parks.  Such an impact is also likely to be greater in public transport where security is greatly needed.

 However, the use of Cameras and surveillance devices raises various issues based in citizens’ rights principle especially ensuring that these rights are respected (Piza, Caplan & Kennedy, 2014). The adoption of camera in policing should have empirical justification so that they accomplish the intended outcomes.  The Use of CCTV equipment should be appropriate for the issue it aims at addressing. Technological or electrical devices must respond to the set objectives without extend beyond the intended purpose, while data protection and retention time be clearly outlined.  This also includes upholding transparency and accountability so that citizens are aware of the systems objectives and the persons handling the systems are clearly defined and held accountable to members of the public. Cameras must be design in a way that their deterrent impacts are heightened (Piza, Caplan & Kennedy, 2014).  Adoption technological devices in police administration and even organization bring about important changes in terms of response to crime and prevention are carried out (Byrne & Marx, 2011).

References

Ariel, B., Farrar, W. A., & Sutherland, A. (2015). The effect of police body-worn cameras on use of force and citizens’ complaints against the police: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of quantitative criminology, 31(3), 509-535.

 

Welsh, B. C., & Farrington, D. P. (2009). Public area CCTV and crime prevention: an updated systematic review and meta‐analysis. Justice Quarterly, 26(4), 716-745.

 

Piza, E. L., Caplan, J. M., & Kennedy, L. W. (2014). Analyzing the influence of micro-level factors on CCTV camera effect. Journal of Quantitative Criminology, 30(2), 237-264.

 

Byrne, J., & Marx, G. (2011). Technological innovations in crime prevention and policing. A review of the research on implementation and impact. Journal of Police Studies, 20(3), 17-40.