In an era where accountability and transparency are of paramount importance, the use of police body-worn cameras has become a focal point in conversations around law enforcement practices. The year 2018 marked a significant turning point in the widespread utilization of this technology - but what did this look like in quantitative terms, and what implications did it hold for police-citizen interactions?

The Surge of Body-Worn Cameras in 2018

In 2018, there was a swift and significant surge in the adoption of body-worn cameras by law enforcement agencies across the United States. In fact, nearly 50 percent of all general-purpose law enforcement agencies had fully implemented a Body-Worn Camera (BWC) program by the end of 2018, up from just 30 percent in 2013, according to the National Survey of Law Enforcement.

Impact On Police-Public Interactions

On paper, these figures represent a dramatic uptick in the use of technology designed to foster transparency. In practice, they mark the potential for a seismic shift in the dynamics of police-citizen encounters.

Seeing law enforcement officials outfitted with cameras can go a long way in fostering a sense of mutual accountability between officers and individuals they encounter. However, the impact of BWCs depends largely on how they are used, the policies that govern their use and the compliance of officers with those policies.

The Challenges in Reviewing Footage

Despite the apparent advantages of BWCs, a significant challenge remains in reviewing and managing the vast quantities of data they generate. Comprehensive video reviews are time-consuming and often complex, requiring significant investment in both manpower and technological infrastructure.

Even more crucial is the establishment of robust policies to govern access to and the use of this footage. In 2018, the sheer volume of stored footage from BWCs far outpaced that of traditional surveillance systems, leading many departments to grapple with issues of storage, access and privacy.

The Future of BWCs

2018 has seen body-worn camera technology evolve and expand at a rapid pace. However, while the proliferation of BWCs seems inevitable, the task at hand is to ensure that they are being used effectively and responsibly.

Though this era in law enforcement history zipped by like a bullet, it's clear that the implications of wide-scale BWC usage will be felt for years to come. As jurisdictions navigate the complexities of employing this technology, one thing is certain: the conversation around BWCs will continue to be a dynamic and critical part of the ongoing discourse around law enforcement practices.

While there is no pat resolution to this narrative of body-worn cameras in 2018, there's no doubt that it is an ongoing story. The numbers prove that BWC usage is on the rise; going forward, it will be crucial to guide this prevalence with policy, and to continue examining the myriad effects – both positive and detrimental – it gives rise to in the realities of modern law enforcement.