In 2016, a wave of activism swept through the United States following several high profile cases of police misuse of power. During this time, a call was made by activists across the nation for an increase in police accountability. One popular demand was the requirement for police officers to wear Body Worn Cameras (BWCs) in a bid to amplify transparency, trust, and accountability. The hoped-for result? A move towards a more just society where instances of police misconduct could be indisputably verified and appropriately managed.

First, it is important to understand what a body camera is and how it functions. In simple terms, a body camera is a device worn by the police that records their interactions with the public. These interactions are stored as visual and audio evidence, typically utilized later for review and scrutiny. Now, let's take a closer look at why activists were (and continue to be) vocal about this demand.

UNDERSTANDING THE CALL FOR BODY CAMERAS

The call for body cameras on police officers primarily arises from a desire for transparency and accountability. It wasn't simply an arbitrary demand, it was a cry for justice and fairness. The slogan “Cameras for cops” became a battle cry of racial justice movements nationwide.

But why body cameras? Visual evidence is viewed as a credible way of verifying encounters between the police and the public. This way, police officers cannot manipulate the narrative, and neither can the public. It is a tool designed to keep everyone honest.

Additionally, proponents of body cameras argue that the cameras could affect the behavior of both police officers and the individuals they interact with, potentially reducing instances of police brutality and even increasing the safety of officers. Essentially, the underlying belief here is that people behave better when they're being watched.

Activists also pointed to instances where body cameras already implemented made a difference. In places like Rialto, California, a study revealed that officers wearing body cameras saw use-of-force decrease by 59%, and citizen complaints about police dropped by 87%. These figures stirred hope that, if adopted nationwide, body cameras might be a formidable tool in curbing police malpractices.

OBSTACLES TO IMPLEMENTATION

That said, the journey towards the national implementation of body cameras hasn't been without challenges. One of the key obstacles raised was the high cost of both purchasing the body cameras and storing the footage. Cities with limited budgets argued that the cost of equipping officers with body cameras could be fiscally prohibitive. Privacy issues were another serious cause for concern. Critics questioned the appropriateness of recording certain situations, particularly those involving minors or vulnerable individuals.

MOVING FORWARD

Fast forward from our 2016 standpoint to today, and the fight for body cameras still continues. While many police departments across the U.S. have incorporated body cameras into their modus operandi, there are still areas slow to adopt, or that are yet to adopt.

Activists' voices continue to ring out for the universal use of body cameras on police officers, and they remain undeterred by the obstacles laid out by critics. As technology advances and becomes more affordable, the fiscal argument against body cameras loses steam. On the privacy front, policymakers are working to draft legislation to protect citizens' rights, striking a balance between transparency and intrusion.

As members of a democratic society, it is our duty to keep asking essential questions about technologies like these that have such a profound impact on human lives. Should acts of policing be recorded? Whom should this technology serve? These are the questions driving the call for body cams by activists. Questions that beg for answers, for change.

Whether this change will come in the form we envision, that's something we can only wait to see. However, one thing is for certain:the conversation about police accountability through devices like body cameras is far from over. Indeed, it's just the beginning. For many, the hope of an equitable future rests on these discussions evolving into transformative actions.