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Evaluating Evidence-Based Law Enforcement Policy: Police Body-Worn Cameras
Colorado State University Global
CRJ 580: Criminal Justice Capstone Experience
Dr. Koehle
December 30, 2023
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Evaluating Evidence-Based Law Enforcement Policy: Police Body-Worn Cameras
Over the past decade, concerns about police conduct, trust, and the use of force have prompted a nuanced examination of interventions to address these critical issues. This systematic
review investigates the impact of police body cameras (BWCs) on officer and citizen behavior, addressing the research problem of their multifaceted effects within contemporary law enforcement. Key studies from the last five years were analyzed using a comprehensive electronic search strategy using authoritative references to provide a comprehensive understanding of the current research on BWC's impacts on officer and citizen behavior. Braga et
al. (2020) revealed positive effects on police behavior, including reductions in citizen complaints
and use of force incidents. Ariel et al. (2019) presented mixed results on the impact of BWCs on various behaviors. Lum et al. (2020) indicated positive effects on police behavior but nuanced responses from citizens, and McCluskey et al. (2019) found mixed outcomes on procedural justice. The general trend suggests positive impacts on police behavior, with citizen responses being more context-dependent. The synthesis emphasizes the need for further research to understand contextual factors influencing outcomes and to identify effective implementation strategies for BWCs in policing. Introduction
As BWCs become omnipresent in law enforcement, questions surrounding their impact on police behavior have gained prominence. The multifaceted effects of BWCs form the crux of this research. On one hand, proponents argue that BWCs can enhance transparency, accountability, and the overall professionalism of law enforcement officers. On the other hand, concerns persist about unintended consequences, such as altered officer behavior, implications for citizens' privacy, and the potential for selective recording (Malm, 2019). This study addresses
the complex questions surrounding the implementation of BWCs and their impact on police
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officer behavior. As BWCs continue to be integrated into policing, it is imperative to assess their influence comprehensively to inform evidence-based law enforcement policies.
Background: Over the past decade, concerns about police conduct, trust, and the use of force have prompted a nuanced examination of interventions to address these critical issues (McLean et al., 2022). The landscape of law enforcement practices is continually evolving, shaped by societal expectations and the need for effective interventions. In this context, police body-worn cameras (BWCs) have emerged as a technological tool designed to monitor and potentially influence law enforcement officer behavior. The use of BWCs represents a pivotal aspect of contemporary law enforcement strategies. As public scrutiny intensifies, agencies seek ways to enhance transparency, accountability, and the overall effectiveness of policing. The deployment of BWCs is driven by the recognition of technology's role in shaping police-citizen interactions (Nix et al., 2020). Understanding the impact of BWCs on officer behavior becomes essential for adapting law enforcement practices to the evolving needs of society.
Significance of this study: The pervasive fear of crime, coupled with challenges to public safety and community trust, necessitates a comprehensive evaluation of the impact of police body-worn cameras (White & Malm, 2020). This study holds significant implications for various
stakeholders, including law enforcement administrators, police officers, and the general public.
For law enforcement administrators, insights from this study can guide the formulation of
evidence-based policies. Understanding the nuances of BWC implementation and its impact on police behavior allows administrators to make informed decisions about resource allocation, training, and community engagement strategies. Police officers stand to benefit from a clearer understanding of how BWCs may shape their interactions with the public. Moreover, the public,
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particularly those who may be subject to police encounters, can gain assurance from the increased transparency and accountability that effective BWC use may bring.
Objectives
The objectives of this systematic review were carefully designed to ensure a comprehensive examination of the existing literature, providing a nuanced understanding of the impact of police body-worn cameras (BWCs) on officer behavior. Employing a systematic approach allowed for a rigorous synthesis of evidence, contributing to the overarching goal of informing evidence-based law enforcement policies.
The author conducted a systematic review of relevant literature first involving a meticulous identification and selection of peer-reviewed research articles published between 2018 and 2023. This systematic search aimed to encompass a diverse range of studies that explored the impact of BWCs on police behavior. The systematic review followed the established guidelines to minimize bias and ensure a s thorough examination of the existing evidence base. The second step of the author’s objectives was to identify themes and variations: Systematically reviewing the selected literature enabled the identification of common themes and
variations in outcomes across studies. The author sought to unveil patterns in the impact of BWCs on officer behavior, highlighting consistent findings as well as variations influenced by contextual factors and research methodologies.
The fourth step in the author’s objectives involved providing a nuanced understanding. One of the primary objectives was to provide a nuanced understanding of how the presence of BWCs influenced the conduct of police officers. By synthesizing findings from diverse studies,
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this review aimed to go beyond simplistic conclusions, acknowledging the complexity of factors shaping the impact of BWCs on officer behavior.
The final step taken in the author’s objectives involved contributing valuable insights to inform policies. The final objective focused on translating research findings into actionable insights for evidence-based law enforcement policies. By concluding the systematic review, this study aimed to provide administrators and policymakers with evidence-based recommendations for optimizing the use of BWCs in policing practices.
These objectives were instrumental in guiding the systematic review through a structured process, ensuring a thorough analysis of the literature and contributing valuable insights to the field of evidence-based law enforcement policy. Each objective was designed to address a specific aspect of the research question, facilitating a comprehensive evaluation of the impact of police body-worn cameras on officer behavior. Methods
The author details the systematic approach employed in conducting the review, emphasizing the careful selection of studies, search strategy, and criteria to ensure a comprehensive and unbiased evaluation of the impact of police body-worn cameras (BWCs) on officer behavior.
In conducting a systematic review, the author utilized established strict selection criteria to ensure the inclusion of recent, relevant, and high-quality research articles. The chosen time frame for publication, from 2018 to 2023, aimed to capture the most current developments in the field. Articles were limited to those available in English to maintain consistency in language and interpretation. To uphold the criteria of current relevance, studies conducted within the past five
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years were prioritized. This timeframe was deemed crucial for capturing the evolution of BWC technology and its influence on police behavior in contemporary law enforcement practices. The search strategy the author employed was meticulously designed to encompass various aspects of BWCs and their impact on officer behavior. The primary database utilized for the systematic review was Google Scholar, a comprehensive academic search engine. The selection of relevant keywords such as “police body cameras,” technology,” “officer conduct,” “impact assessment,” “police behavior evaluation,” and “body camera effectiveness” ensured a broad exploration of the literature. Boolean operators (e.g., and/or) were strategically employed to combine these terms effectively, ensuring a comprehensive search that captured the diverse dimensions of BWC impact. To narrow down the focus and maintain relevance, limits were set to include only articles published between 2018 and 2023, aligning with the study’s emphasis on current research. Regarding study characteristics, the author’s studies of systematic reviews encompass studies selected for inclusion in the systematic review which were required to meet specific characteristics. First, they had to be available in English to facilitate a consistent understanding of the research. Second, the studies had to focus explicitly on the impact of police body cameras on officer behavior, aligning with the central theme of the review. Finally, the inclusion criteria allowed for the consideration of both qualitative and quantitative research designs to capture a diverse range of research methodologies. The author aimed to adopt a comprehensive approach to data analysis, recognizing the diverse nature of research designs within the selected studies. Future research was identified as a focus area, with an emphasis on both qualitative and quantitative research design methods. This approach acknowledged the value of presenting research through graphs and numerical
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representations while recognizing the importance of qualitative methods in exploring sampling methods and confirming or disputing theories. Existing studies indicated a reduction in citizen complaints against police officers with the use of BWCs. However, the circumstances leading to this reduction, whether it stemmed from improved interaction quality, changes in reporting behavior, or heightened officer awareness of BWC presence, remained uncertain and necessitated more in-depth inquiry. This comprehensive electronic search strategy, coupled with rigorous selection criteria, formed the foundation for a systematic and thorough exploration of the impact of police body-worn cameras on officer behavior.
Results
Braga et al. (2020) conducted a randomized controlled trial and quasi-experimental design to assess the direct and spillover effects of BWCs in the Boston Police Department. The study involved a BWC pilot program with 100 law enforcement officers, focusing on reducing complaints and police use of force. The randomized controlled trial covered 11 district stations and 140 treatment officers. A quasi-experimental design allowed for a robust analysis mirroring randomized control trials. The treatment groups were randomly allocated using a computer algorithm, ensuring representativeness. This methodology helped to establish a scenario or situation of what or how something could have occurred at that point. 40 police officers for the treatment groups were randomly allocated through a computer algorithm representing descriptive
information such as age, sex, race, and time on the job as can be seen below in Table 1.
Table 1
Descriptive information on officers participating with results
Treatment
Control
N
5
5
8
Mean population
64,126.2
54,831.0
Mean percent black population
37.5
16.7
Mean Hispanic population
17.8
24.1
Mean concentrated disadvantage index
.342
-
361.
Mean calls per 100k population
56,863.2
60,861.8
Mean index crime rate per 100k population
3212.0
2993.4
Mean FIO reports
2539.4
1587.2
Mean arrests
1210.6
1221.4
Mean officers assigned
83.6
84.0
Note
. Adapted from
the
Journal of Quantitative Criminology (
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/336674159_Measuring_the_Direct_and_Spillover_Eff
ects_of_Body_Worn_Cameras_on_the_Civility_of_Police-
Citizen_Encounters_and_Police_Work_Activities)
.
Narrative synthesis and risk of bias assessment: The findings from Braga et al. (2020) indicated the effectiveness of BWCs in reducing citizen complaints and use of force. However,
officer discretion and activity remained unaffected. Spillover effects on control officers in treated districts were also observed, contributing to the overall impact of BWCs.
Concerning the risk of bias, contamination issues were acknowledged, emphasizing the
need for cautious interpretation. Potential biases such as selection bias, confounding variables, and measurement bias were considered, with Braga et al. (2020) taking measures to address them. Additionally, participants that were included in the study may not have been representative of the broader population and/or could have had individual characteristics that may have influenced both independent and dependent variables resulting in erroneous conclusions. Using validated measurement tools, statistical techniques, and careful participant selection were the measures taken to reduce/prevent any risk of bias.
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Ariel et al. (2019) conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 93 studies to reveal mixed results on the impact of BWCs. The review encompassed diverse studies from various countries, presenting both positive effects on police behaviors and suggestions of unintended consequences such as increased civilian complaints. Through a meta-analysis, Ariel et al. (2019) showed a small but statistically significant effect, cautioning against definitive conclusions. Their exclusion criteria focused on studies not
evaluating police body cameras on behaviors or the impact on citizen complaints. Narrative synthesis and risk of bias assessment: The evidence on the effectiveness of BWCs was deemed inconclusive, with variations in outcomes across studies. Ariel et al. (2019)
identified a moderate to high risk of bias in most studies, raising concerns about the overall quality of evidence. Lum et al. (2020) conducted a systematic review, screening 1,538 studies and including
13 eligible studies. Their exclusion of many articles was that many studies did not focus on BWC effects on behaviors for citizens and police officers or they were not quantitative in nature. While generating positive impacts on police behavior were noted, outcomes for citizen behavior varied across studies. Studies covered diverse locations, and periods, and utilized various outcome measures, including surveys and qualitative interviews.
Narrative synthesis and risk of bias assessment: Positive impacts on police behavior were observed, leading to a decrease in the use of force and improved officer compliance (Lum
et al. 2020). Citizen behavior outcomes showed variability across studies, emphasizing the complexity and content-dependency of BWC effects. Lum et al. (2020) concluded a risk of bias assessment, deeming the overall quality of evidence as moderate.
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McCluskey et al. (2019) conducted a systematic review to assess the impact of BWCs on procedural justice in the Los Angeles Police Department. The review included 7 evaluation studies, revealing mixed results on the impact of BWCs. 1,235 studies were screened assessing
23 for eligibility. Article/study exclusion related to not meeting the inclusion criteria of focusing on procedural justice, not being an evaluation study, and not placing focus on BWCs. Narrative synthesis and risk of bias assessment: The study by McCluskey et al. (2019) utilized randomized controlled trial and quasi-experimental designs, conducted in diverse settings with the Los Angeles Police Department. Outcomes from the evaluation studies were mixed, indicating positive effects, no significant impact, and inconclusive results on procedural
justice. The variability in outcomes suggests a complex and context-dependent impact of BWCs. Considering the risk of bias assessment, McCluskey et al. (2019) thoroughly assess potential biases, addressing factors such as sample bias and methodological limitations. As can be seen below, the table of evidence characteristics for each study reviewed shows the type of intervention, research design, and outcomes of interest to the review (effective,
ineffective, or inconclusive).
Table 2
Evidence Characteristics
Quantitative Evidence
First
Author
(Last
Name)
Year
Title of the Study
Type of
Intervention
Research
Design
Outcomes of interest to
review
(Effective, ineffec
inconclusive
)
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Ariel et al.
2018
Contagious accountability: A global multisite randomized control
trial on the effect of police body-
worn cameras on citizens’ complaints against the police.
Police body-worn
cameras. Between-
group experimental
analyses and pre-
post analyses
Randomized
controlled
trial. Included
assault rates,
discretion-
based
subgroup
analysis Inconclusive (mixed effects
observed on assaults indicat
paradoxical result where the
overall reduction in assaults
supplemented by an increas
the odds of assaults in treatm
conditions compared to con
conditions).
Braga et al.
2019
Measuring the direct and spillover
effects of body-
worn cameras on the civility of police-citizen encounters and police work activities
Police Body-Worn Cameras. Quasi-
experimental (propensity score matching).
Citizen complaints, use of force reports, and activity outcomes.
Effective
Lum et al.
2020
Body-worn cameras’ effects on
police officers and citizen behavior: A systematic review
Police Body-Worn Cameras. Meta-
analysis and narrative synthesis. Systematic review: various sampling methods used: Police use of force, complaints, arrests, and various police and citizen behaviors
Mixed findings. Inconclusiv
(mixed effects on behavior)
There are mixed statistical r
and findings across outcome
measures. While BWCs demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in citiz
complaints, results indicated
ineffectiveness with limited
statistically significant impa
various police and citizen behaviors.
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McCluske
y et al.
2019
Assessing the effects of body-
worn cameras on procedural justice in the los angeles police department
Police Body-Worn Cameras. Controlled trial.
Randomized controlled trial
using systematic social observation and procedural
justice.
Effective: statistically reliab
increase after BWC implementation providing optimism for the impact of B
across police organizations particularly concerning proc
justice.
Qualitative Evidence
(If qualitative evidence does not meet your selection criteria, you will not have this part in the form)
Author(s)
(Last
Name)
Year
Title of the Study
Type of
Intervention
Research
Design
Outcomes of interest to
review
(Effective, ineffec
inconclusive
)
Total Included Studies: N =?
Note
. Adapted from
Module 5: Reporting Results: Narrative Synthesis
, by Colorado State University Global, n.d., Canvas (https://csuglobal.instructure.com/courses/83996/files/5822674?module_item_id=4371168). Copyright n.d. by Colorado State University Global.
Conclusion
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The systematic review examined the impact of police body-worn cameras (BWCs) on officer behavior, drawing insights from four key studies. Common themes across the studies indicated a positive trend in the effects of BWCs on police behavior, with reductions in citizen complaints and instances of police use of force. Despite variations, BWCs appeared to contribute
to improved procedural justice and officer compliance. For law enforcement administrators, the findings underscore the potential benefits of BWCs in enhancing transparency, accountability, and overall officer conduct. Based on the various studies reviewed, reduced citizen complaints and improved procedural justice contributed to strengthened community trust. Police officers, aware of the positive impact on behavior, may find increased motivation to adhere to established protocols. The relevance of BWCs extends to citizens, offering a sense of security and assurance in their interactions with law enforcement. The findings suggest that BWCs can contribute to a positive shift in the dynamics between police and the community.
At the study level, potential biases, including selection bias and measurement bias, were acknowledged. Variability in study methodologies and sample characteristics may limit the generalizability of findings. Additionally, the risk of contamination, as observed by Braga et al. (2020) emphasizes the need for cautious interpretation. At the review level, the inconclusive nature of evidence, identified by Ariel et al. (2019), raises questions about the overall quality of the literature. The variability in outcomes across studies, as noted by Lum et al. (2020), adds complexity to the interpretation of BWC effects.
The consistent positive trend in police behavior outcomes, despite variations, suggests that BWCs have the potential to enhance law enforcement practices. Reductions in citizen complaints and improved procedural justice align with the objectives of modern policing. However, the nuanced nature of citizen behavior responses and the complexity of contextual
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factors indicate that the impact of BWCs is multifaceted. The findings highlight the need for further research to delve into the contextual factors influencing the effectiveness of BWCs. Exploring the nuances of citizen behavior responses and the specific conditions under which BWCs are most effective can guide future studies (Wright & Headley, 2020). Additionally, addressing limitations in study methodologies and ensuring diverse representation in research samples will contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of BWC's impact. Law enforcement agencies and policymakers can use the evidence presented to inform policies related
to the deployment and use of BWCs. Emphasizing the positive impact on police behavior and community relations, while considering the limitations and contextual factors, will aid in crafting
effective and informed policies.
In conclusion, this systematic review provides valuable insights into the impact of police body-worn cameras on officer behavior. While acknowledging the positive trends observed, the complexity of contextual factors and the need for further research underscore the dynamic nature
of this technology's influence. The findings contribute to evidence-based law enforcement policies, emphasizing transparency, accountability, and improved community relations.
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References
Ariel, B., Sutherland, A., Henstock, D., Young, J., Drover, P., Sykes, J., Megicks, S., & Henderson, R. (2019). Paradoxical effects of self-awareness of being observed: Testing the effect of police body-worn cameras on assaults and aggression against officers. Journal of Experimental Criminology
, 14
(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11292-019-9311-5
Braga, A. A., Barao, L., Zimmerman, G. M., Douglas, S., & Sheppard, K. G. (2019). Measuring the direct and spillover effects of body-worn cameras on the civility of Police–Citizen encounters and police work activities. Journal of Quantitative Criminology
, 36
(4). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10940-019-09434-9
Colorado State University Global. (n.d.). Evidence table
. Colorado State University Global. https://csuglobal.instructure.com/courses/83996/files/5822674?
module_item_id=4371168
Lum, C., Koper, C. S., Wilson, D. B., Stoltz, M., Goodier, M., Eggins, E., Higginson, A., & Mazerolle, L. (2020). Body‐worn cameras’ effects on police officers and citizen behavior: A systematic review. Campbell Systematic Reviews
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(3), PMC8356344. https://doi.org/10.1002/cl2.1112
Malm, A. (2019). Promise of police body‐worn cameras. Criminology & Public Policy
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(1). https://doi.org/10.1111/1745-9133.12420
McCluskey, J. D., Uchida, C. D., Solomon, S. E., Wooditch, A., Connor, C., & Revier, L. (2019). Assessing the effects of body‐worn cameras on procedural justice in the los angeles police department. Criminology
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(2). https://doi.org/10.1111/1745-9125.12201
McLean, K., Stoughton, S. W., & Alpert, G. P. (2022). Police uses of force in the USA: A wealth
of theories and a lack of evidence. Cambridge Journal of Evidence-Based Policing
, 6
(3–
4). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41887-022-00078-7
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Nix, J., Todak, N., & Tregle, B. (2020). Understanding body-worn camera diffusion in u.s. policing. Police Quarterly
, 23
(3). https://doi.org/10.1177/1098611120917937
White, M. D., & Malm, A. (2020). Cops, cameras, and crisis: The potential and the perils of police Body-Worn cameras
. NYU Press.
Wright, J. E., & Headley, A. M. (2020). Can technology work for policing? Citizen perceptions of police-body worn cameras. The American Review of Public Administration
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