Body cameras aren't new to us. They have been around for several years and have steadily become an integral part of law enforcement agencies. Not only do they serve as an objective, silent witness in controversies, but they also lend a vital degree of transparency to interactions between the police and the public.

The use of body-worn cameras in law enforcement, introduced in the mid-2000s, picked up significantly after 2014. Following high-profile incidents, there was substantial public outcry for more efficacy and accountability in how police encounters are documented.

The Thrust into Public Light

Primarily, the demand for body cameras was aimed at eliminating any 'he said, she said' scenarios and to provide a clear, unbiased series of events. In the wake of the 2014 Ferguson incident, the Obama administration proposed a $263 million investment for police reforms. Out of this, $75 million was allotted for the purchase of 50,000 body-worn cameras for state and local law enforcement agencies. Since then, the numbers have perpetually grown in favor of these devices.

Numbers Taking a Leap

In 2020, the trajectory of body camera usage in law enforcement agencies continued its upward trend. According to a study by the Bureau of Justice Statistics, nearly half of all law enforcement agencies in the United States had acquired body cameras by 2016. By 2020, the use of body cameras by police departments across the nation had surged significantly.

The final numbers for 2020 have not been officially published but given the trajectory, it can be inferred that the use of body cameras in police departments has seen further increase. This climb in numbers can also be attributed to the increasingly widespread acceptance of the need for such devices not just by the public, but by the law enforcement agencies themselves.

Benefits Reaped

The adoption of body cameras has shown substantial benefits. Their use has been credited with the decline in complaints lodged against officers and the force as a whole. Officers equipped with body cameras felt more accountable, and hence were more likely to stick to protocol and display increased professionalism.

Studies have also showcased the potential of body camera footage in terms of training. Scraped incidents are often used to recreate unethical or incorrect responses and to underline better alternatives.

An Expense, but a Necessary One

There is no denying that the integration of body cameras is a pricey commitment for any police department. However, in the grand scheme of things, it serves as a preventative measure that can save not just money, but also the reputation of the entire department, and potentially, lives.

The price tag that hangs on the sides of a law enforcement body camera system varies greatly depending upon the features, data management, and storage solutions. This has led various police departments to adopt different approaches to fund the initiative, with considerable assistance from federal funding.

Not Without its Share of Controversy

In the same vein, the widespread prevalence of body cameras has been met with certain challenges and controversies. Questions about when to record, the duration of retention of the videos, and who can access them have stirred debates on privacy issues.

There is still controversy regarding when the cameras should be turned off to respect privacy, especially in sensitive situations, and when they should be running to ensure full transparency. There is also the issue of ongoing investigations where access to body camera footage may have imminent implications for trial proceedings.

Looking Ahead

With the increased prevalence of body cameras in 2020, we can expect more advances in technology and regulations, promoting improved privacy and accessibility in 2021. As law enforcement agencies continue to grapple with best practices and seek improvements to these systems, body cameras will continue to evolve, cementing their position and purpose within the policing landscape. By serving as both a check and balance tool and a means to increase transparency, the investment in body cameras is one that's here to stay.

While we can't say with absolute certainty the exact numbers of police departments currently employing body cameras in the United States, we can rest assured knowing the trend upwards continues.

With continued conversations about community safety and accountability in policing, we'll undoubtedly continue to see body-worn cameras at the heart of these discussions. As more police departments across the country continue to adopt the technology, we can expect advances that will further promote transparency and accountability measures on both sides of the camera.