Technology has made it easier than ever before to accurately record information for the purpose of identifying criminals, maintaining information and ensuring accountability. Body worn cameras for police need to be updated on a regular basis to implement standards that only get higher by the day. This can mean a dash camera’s ability to properly filter light or the battery life on a body cam throughout the day-to-day. Learn more about body worn cameras for police below to see how you can be part of the social and technological change.
Body worn cameras for police are seeing a continuous upsurge in purchases. The global dashboard camera market, when it comes to revenue, was seen pulling in a yearly growth rate of 15%. By the time 2020 comes around this number is only expected to increase. A common source of contention for many is a lack of accountability on behalf of law enforcement, that of which body cameras go a long way to mitigate.
The California Police Department, for starters, has been under increased scrutiny after multiple complaints and frustrations were brought against its active officers. When body cameras were implemented, grievances were brought down by 60% almost immediately. By the time 2015 came around, an estimated one-third of the 18,000 police departments across the country were using body cameras.
Additional studies have been provided to better analyze the positive effect body cameras and related tools, such as the dash camera, have on the general public. According to a recent study, police that are routinely equipped with body cameras receive 90% fewer complaints than their unequipped counterparts. Another survey conducted through noticeable police changes in 2015 saw body cameras improving police relations in day-to-day interactions by 25%.
A Pew Research Center study saw a little over half of all police department administrators saying that a police car camera or body worn cameras for police encouraging further cooperation on the behalf of civilians. Rather than putting all the responsibility on the public, however, the influence of a body camera that can capture important evidence goes a long way in reducing the rates of violent behavior conducted by the police. Another Pew Research Center study saw half of officers saying body cameras encouraged their peers to act more appropriately.
Back in 2000 a mere 11% of state police and highway patrol vehicles had in-car cameras equipped. As of recent years this number has increased dramatically. It’s estimated 70% of all state patrol vehicles will use in-car video systems. With ongoing policy changes, this number will only continue to get higher year after year. The function of a body camera is to encourage compliance on behalf of civilians, appropriate behavior on behalf of officers and, overall, cultivate an environment of trust and accountability.
Together with technology the future can look brighter and safer for our general public.