Body Warn Cameras: The Silent Partner

In recent years, it has become obvious that technology is advancing at such a pace that it is difficult to keep up with the most current developments. It is also something that has become so readily available that some of the newest devices can be found in the hands of most anyone on the street. Of these devices are cameras, which are mostly attached to mobile phones. Body worn cameras for law enforcement officers is also some of the newest technology on the market today. There are many ways that body worn cameras will benefit law enforcement officers, their agency, as well as the public. Body-worn cameras will give a first person point of view of incidents officers encounter on a daily basis. Researchers have discovered that “body-worn cameras can actually help strengthen trust and police legitimacy within the community” (Miller, Lindsay, Jessica Toliver, and Police Executive Research Forum, 2014, p. 32). Body-worn cameras can be the link to build trust, transparency, and peace between the public community and the law enforcement agencies that is so badly needed in today’s society. There is also a misconception that body worn cameras will violate citizens’ privacy rights, but this is not the case. All law enforcement officers should be should be required to wear body-worn cameras in conjunction with in-car dash cameras.