Pre-deployment police officer perceptions of body-worn cameras in Brazil

Abstract

ABSTRACT Body-worn cameras (BWCs) have gained prominence as relevant instruments in policing activities globally. Despite their increasing prevalence, limited analyses exist in Brazil concerning the use of BWCs in public safety. This study examines the pre-BWC deployment perceptions of military police officers in Brasília (Brazil) employing logistic regression models and exploratory factor analysis. Understanding variation in acceptance among different groups is crucial in guiding an organisation's implementation of BWCs. In general, Brazilian military police officers were resistant to cameras. As expected, the results revealed that police resistance to BWCs is associated with an expectation of greater control over their activities. Notably, younger officers, as well as those serving in operational units, emerged as the leading group resisting BWCs. Conversely, perceptions of usefulness, internal procedural justice, and social recognition exhibited a significant and positive impact on fostering acceptance. These aspects suggest a potential avenue for transformative change with substantive implications for adherence to internal protocols within police agencies. The perception that BWCs are useful, make police work easier, and more valuable plays a crucial role in driving their acceptance within the Brazilian context. Finally, this study underscores the policy implications stemming from individual attitudinal shifts toward BWC acceptance across diverse social groups and within police agencies.