As we ushered in the new decade in 2020, the world was watching, waiting, and-wondering- would all law enforcement agencies across the globe be equipped with body cameras by year's end? Sweeping efforts to promote transparency, accountability, and forge a clearer path towards justice birthed this ambitious goal. But how feasible was it in actual implementation?

The Backdrop

To contextualize, the call for universal body camera usage among law enforcement officers began in earnest following a series of highly-publicized incidents involving officers and civilians. These incidents exposed systemic issues within many law enforcement agencies and sparked international outcry for reform. Body cameras, providing an objective record of interactions between law enforcement and the public, appeared to be a valuable tool towards achieving these much-needed changes.

Proponents of Body Cameras

Proponents of body cameras argue that they help ensure transparency and hold officers accountable for their actions while on duty. The presence of body cameras is believed to reduce the number of complaints and lawsuits regarding police misconduct. These camps also believe that body cameras could aid in the collection of evidence during criminal investigations, make policing more effective, safer for both law enforcement officers and civilians, and motivate all parties to behave in a manner conducive to public safety.

Detractors of Body Cameras

However, the narrative isn't unanimously one-sided. Detractors raise concerns around privacy issues for both officers and citizens. Issues regarding when the footage is made public, who can access it, and how it can be used are still hotly debated. Questions also arise around the infrastructure and funding required to realize such an extensive project in law enforcement agencies, particularly smaller and less-resourced ones.

Even on a practical level, the effectiveness of body cameras in significantly reducing incidents of police brutality and misconduct is questionable. An array of studies delivers mixed findings, leading some critics to underscore the need for comprehensive policies and training rather than an over-reliance on technology alone.

The Reality of the Vision

As 2020 unfolded, the world at large, and law enforcement agencies were preoccupied with the global outbreak of COVID-19. Even so, efforts to realize the vision of universal body camera usage remained on the agenda for many, albeit potentially delayed or paused.

With the unique challenges 2020 presented and the unknown territory still ahead, did every law enforcement agency manage to actualize the vision of equipping every officer with a body camera? The exact data is hard to pin down. Admittedly, many agencies have announced the implementation of body cams. Various international bodies have ramped up efforts to make them commonplace. The truth of the matter, though, is that it's a mixed bag, with progress at different rates globally.

In the U.S., for instance, a study by the National Institute of Justice found that approximately half of the general-purpose law enforcement agencies had body-cameras by 2016. The Bureau of Justice Assistance provides a Body-Worn Camera Toolkit for agencies considering implementing BWCs.

However, in nations where democracy is fragile, and human rights are frequently challenged, the presence of body cameras in law enforcement remains an elusive dream.

Beyond 2020

Despite the precise reality of the situation, the conversation that underpins the ambitious vision of 'body cams for all officers by 2020' remains essential. It serves as a testament to society's collective endeavor to demand more from the institutions that pledge to protect and serve them.

As we move beyond 2020, the question isn't so much whether every law enforcement officer globally sports a body cam, or not. Instead, what matters more now is this - are we, as a society, making significant strides towards justice, accountability, and transparency within law enforcement? If the answer is yes, the method, whether body cams or otherwise, serves as but a tool to this integral pursuit.