Introduction

In recent years, the use of body worn cameras (BWCs) by law enforcement officers has brought about significant changes in the way police-citizen interactions are documented and understood. The availability of BWC footage is particularly crucial in cases involving the use of force by officers, as it can potentially reveal otherwise unseen aspects of these encounters. One such high-profile case was the arrest of Sterling Brown, a professional basketball player, in January of 2018.

The Incident

On the night of January 26, 2018, Sterling Brown was involved in an altercation with police officers in a Walgreens parking lot in Milwaukee. The incident stemmed from a parking violation, as Brown's car was apparently parked across two handicap spaces. What should have been a routine traffic matter quickly escalated, culminating in Brown being tased and arrested by the responding officers.

Immediately following the incident, questions arose about whether or not excessive force was used during Brown's arrest. The Milwaukee Bucks organization, as well as numerous activists and civil rights organizations, called for the release of any available BWC footage related to the arrest to ensure transparency and accountability from the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD).

The Release of the Footage

After considerable public pressure, the MPD released the BWC footage of the incident involving Sterling Brown. The video, which is nearly 30 minutes in length, showed the officers' actions in vivid detail. It revealed that the situation escalated rapidly after Brown was confronted by the officers about his parking violation.

Upon reviewing the footage, many were shocked by the level of force used by the officers. The situation seemed to escalate unnecessarily, with multiple officers arriving on the scene and ultimately tasing Brown, who did not appear to be threatening or resisting arrest.

Reactions and Response

The release of the BWC footage prompted widespread outrage and criticism of the MPD, with many people accusing the officers of excessive force and racial profiling. Brown himself filed a lawsuit against the city, claiming that the officers violated his civil rights during the arrest.

The Milwaukee Police Department underwent considerable scrutiny following the release of the footage. MPD Chief Alfonso Morales apologized to Brown, admitting that the department's actions "went too far." Disciplinary measures were taken against some of the officers involved in the incident, including suspensions and additional training in response to their actions.

Sterling Brown's case also brought attention to a larger issue surrounding racial profiling and the use of force by law enforcement officers, sparking discussions and debate about the need for widespread reform.

The Role of Body Worn Cameras in the Sterling Brown Case

The availability of BWC footage in the Sterling Brown case proved to be essential in holding the MPD accountable for their actions. The video provided an unbiased account of the events that transpired, serving as indisputable evidence for the use of excessive force and racial profiling.

While BWCs are not a perfect solution to the problems existing in policing, they do serve as an important tool in increasing transparency and holding law enforcement officers accountable for their actions. By providing clear, objective documentation of police-citizen interactions, BWCs have the potential to significantly impact the way these encounters are understood and adjudicated.

Moving Forward

In the wake of the Sterling Brown case, it is clear that body worn camera footage has the power to expose issues of excessive force and racial profiling in policing. The release of such footage can have far-reaching effects, leading to increased accountability and, ideally, necessary reforms within law enforcement agencies.

As the conversation surrounding police reform continues to grow, it is important to recognize the value of BWCs in promoting transparency and accountability in law enforcement. While much work remains to be done, the continued use and expansion of body worn camera programs have the potential to foster meaningful change in the quest for a more just and equitable criminal justice system.