POLICE BODY CAMERAS: SEEING MAY BE BELIEVING

While the concept of body-mounted cameras (BMC) worn by police officers is a controversial issue, it is not new. Since in the early-2000s, police departments across the United States, England, Brazil, and Australia have been implementing wearable cameras. Like all devices used in policing, body-mounted cameras can create a sense of increased power, but also additional responsibilities for both the agencies and individual officers. This paper examines the public debate regarding body-mounted cameras. The conclusions drawn show that while these devices can provide information about incidents relating to police-citizen encounters, and can deter citizen and police misbehavior, these devices can also violate a citizen's privacy rights. This paper outlines several ramifications for practice as well as implications for policy.