Regulating Police Body-Worn Cameras

Over the last decade, thousands of American law enforcement agencies have begun equipping their police officers with body-worn cameras (BWCs). BWCs are small cameras that officers attach to their persons that record footage while the officers complete routine work. BWCs have been thought to serve both a “law enforcement and a public accountability” function, as footage may be reviewed for police misconduct as well as additional investigation. Whether using BWCs effectively improves policing remains undetermined, with camera programs finding both supporters and critics. As police camera usage increases, questions arise over how the state and federal government as well as the police departments should regulate BWCs. How can police camera programs encourage accountability? How do they affect privacy? What factors should police departments consider when designing camera policies and programs? This Saturday Seminar features several pieces exploring how digital recording technology shapes developing policies in law enforcement