The Illusion of Accuracy: How Body-Worn Camera Footage Can Distort Evidence
The Illusion of Accuracy: How Body-Worn Camera Footage Can Distort Evidence
Each year, more and more police departments across the United States send their officers into the field wearing body worn cameras. Many believed that by providing firsthand evidence of interactions between officers and the public, these cameras could enhance transparency, improve accountability and foster greater public trust in local law enforcement. Yet, the promise of these cameras is not guaranteed; in fact, in many jurisdictions, it is not being realized. Without carefully crafted policy safeguards in place, there is a real risk that body worn cameras could be used in ways that threaten civil and constitutional rights and intensify the disproportionate surveillance of communities of color.