Citizens' perceptions of body-worn cameras (BWCs): Findings from a quasi-randomized controlled trial

Abstract

PurposeThis study examines citizens' perceptions of police body-worn cameras (BWCs) and whether the exposure to BWCs impacts citizens' perceptions of BWCs. MethodA quasi-randomized controlled trial was conducted. Drivers assigned to the experimental group encountered the traffic police officers wearing BWCs whereas those assigned to the control group encountered with the traffic police officers without BWCs. A survey that also included an open-ended question was administered on the drivers after the traffic stop. The answers to the open-ended question were coded first, and then analyzed. FindingsAlmost all of the respondents reported that they would support the use of BWCs. They also reported that BWCs would improve evidence, transparency, quality of treatment, police behavior, police lawfulness, compliance, and both police and citizen behavior, and decrease corruption and complaints. The results of the chi-square test for bivariate analysis and the logistic regression test for multivariate analysis showed that the exposure to BWCs significantly improved just citizens' perceptions of BWCs including quality of treatment, police behavior, police lawfulness, and corruption. ConclusionCitizens have positive views about the effects of BWCs, and the exposure to BWCs has positive impact on citizens' perceptions of the effects of BWCs.