Body cameras are essentially standard police equipment these days. After the 2018 death of Michael Brown, then President Barack Obama pushed for police body cameras, and Federal funding to make it happen.
Though body cameras have the ability to corroborate or prove someone’s story, they are only good if they are turned on, properly functioning, and made available for public consumption. Department policies and police culture are getting in the way of promised transparency.
Case Studies
In the tragic case of Breonna Taylor, the police either did not have their body cameras on, or they outright lied, denying footage even exists (additional article here).
In the death of Robert Brooks, beaten while under custody of New York Department of Corrections, correctional officers knew they had their body worn cameras on.
They beat him anyway, resulting in his death the next day. Several of the corrections officers were already under investigation for excessive force and brutality, and were still working.
Derek Chauvin, responsible for the death of George Floyd, had multiple incidents with body cam footage to back them up, documenting his history of excessive force, but the department did nothing until George’s unnecessary death.
What’s the Problem?
It presents a disturbing truth: even with body cameras equipped and recording, some officers who engage in brutality and excessive force believe they did nothing wrong. In fact, they did it over and over until they were no longer allowed to continue.
Is this a flaw in training? Or is this cognitive dissonance? Is it because police have traditionally gotten away with such horrific abuses against people in the past that they believe they will continue to get away with it?
This suggests not just a training issue, but a cultural issue: one that requires other officers to speak up when colleagues go too far. This of course requires breaching the blue wall of silence, requiring leadership to prevent retaliation when law enforcement speak up against police brutality.
Examining The Ethics
Body worn cameras level the playing field, but only so much. It does not stop a problematic event from occurring, though it ends the situation of it being the civilian’s word against that of police. However, legal battles may still ensue due to lack of transparency and disclosure policies.
Propublica covered this phenomenon, finding that a majority of body cam footage is hidden from the public.
There is also an ethical issue, leaving police who are financial liabilities on the force, and then covering up their bad behavior to prevent civil suits.
When does it become too expensive for a force to keep a problematic officer; one who may cause a person’s death?
Why settle lawsuits for millions when the person is a clear risk?
What is clear, is that while body cameras are an important tool, reform, transparency, and improved policies are essential for body camera programs to achieve their intended goals.
