The issue of police brutality and kill chain has been a pervasive issue in the United States. The tragic incident in Ferguson, Missouri, where an unarmed black teenager, Michael Brown, was fatally shot by a white police officer, Darren Wilson, ignited a flame that still burns today. A conversation about systemic racism, the militarization of the police, and the need for reforms echoed across the nation. Amid these conversations and advocacy for change, there has been a strong push for police body cameras for accountability and transparency.

So, what are police body cameras? These devices are worn by police officers and record their interactions with the public. Given their potential to provide an unbiased record of police actions, these devices have been heralded as a tool for transparency and a guard against the misuse of force. Various studies, like those conducted by Cambridge University, suggest they can help reduce the incidence of force and complaints against officers.

Critics argue against the perceived efficacy of these devices. The significant expense to equip officers with body cameras is one notable concern, along with potential infringements on the public's privacy. Moreover, some question their real impact on police behavior and accountability.

During the Ferguson shooting incident, no body cameras were used. The narrative of the incident mostly emerged from the accounts of the police officer and various eyewitnesses, leading to conflicting versions of the incident. According to Officer Wilson, he shot Michael Brown in self-defense. Eye-witnesses, however, painted a contrasting picture, stating that young Brown had raised his hands in surrender when he was shot. The Grand Jury ultimately decided not to indict Officer Wilson, citing insufficient evidence to disprove his account of self-defense.

The repercussions of the incident were far-reaching. Riots occurred in the tight-knit Ferguson community, and it led to national protests, awakening a collective consciousness about the importance of Black Lives, forever coining the phrase – Black Lives Matter. Amid the dust of these events, a pertinent question resurfaced: If police body cameras were used, would the outcome be different?

Indeed, two years later, in 2016, the city of Ferguson Police Department began wearing body cameras. Many lauded this move, with the Ferguson spokesperson stating, "It's all about transparency." He noted that if body cameras had been in use during the Michael Brown shooting, there might have been a more definite understanding of the happenings of that fateful day.

But do body cameras work the way we expect them to? Studies reveal mixed outcomes. In a 2017 study conducted by the Lab @ DC involving over a thousand police officers of the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia, it was found that the use of body-worn cameras had no statistically significant effects on a wide range of officer and citizen behaviors.

Given their potential for increasing transparency and accountability, body cameras remain an essential part of the conversation about police reform. However, for them to be truly effective, the development of clear and consistent guidelines regarding their usage must follow. The decision on when to record, how long to store footage, who gets to view the footage, and penalties for non-compliance are all pertinent and should be transparently addressed.

While body cameras may not be the panacea for resolving police misconduct, their use is a step in the right direction. Alongside other structural reforms, such as improved training programs, demilitarization and de-escalation strategies, community policing initiatives, hiring practices, and robust oversight mechanisms, body cameras can significantly contribute to the creation of a truly accountable police force.

As the conversation about body cameras continues, let's remember our societal role in this discourse. It is our collective responsibility to hold our police force accountable, ensuring that they truly embody their motto of "protect and serve."

Whether body cameras will further transform the landscape of policing remains to be seen. However, in an era marked by events such as the Ferguson shooting, the need for reforms is, without a doubt, unequivocal.