In the last few years, many measures have been taken to bridge the trust gap between the Policing and the general public. One of these is the Body-Worn Camera (BWC). It is a small camera that is installed on the uniform of police officers and records every conversation and incident during their duty.
But the question is, do these cameras really make the police system transparent? Are they helpful in ensuring the safety of the public? Let us know what research and studies say about this subject.
What is a body-worn camera?
A body-worn camera is a small, portable video recording device that policemen wear on their chest or shoulder. This camera records both video and audio. The purpose of these cameras is –
- Monitoring the functioning of the police,
- Increasing transparency,
- Protecting the police from false allegations,
- Building trust between the police and the public.
When did this technology start?
It was first used as a pilot project in the US and UK between 2005–2010. After this, in 2014, the demand for body cameras increased after an African-American youth died in a police firing in Ferguson, USA.
This technology has started slowly in India, and now the police of metropolitan cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru are also adopting them.
What does research say?
Many universities and institutions around the world have done research on this subject. Let’s take a look at some of the main findings:
Change in police behavior
According to a study by the University of Cambridge, incidents of use of force among officers wearing body cameras decreased by about 50%. Policemen behave more restrained because they know that everything is being recorded.
Reduction in public complaints
Washington D.C. The Police Department report stated that complaints against officers who wore body cameras decreased by 15-20%. This shows that officers behave more professionally by wearing cameras.
Improved transparency and accountability
According to the US Police Executive Research Forum (PERF), cameras make the investigation process faster and fair. The footage is used as evidence in court, which can prevent false allegations and false statements.
Effect on officers’ morale
Some reports also revealed that wearing cameras makes policemen feel more “under surveillance”, which can also increase stress and anxiety in some cases. In such a situation, it becomes necessary to train officers mentally.
What is the situation in India?
So far, Delhi Police has ordered more than 10,000 body cameras in India. Its trials are also going on in states like Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu. However, its reach is still low in rural and urban areas of the country.
Challenges:
- Poor internet and storage system
- Lack of budget
- Need for training to operate the camera
- No clarity on data privacy and rules
Do cameras prevent crime?
The answer to this question is not so straightforward. Research has found that where the camera is on, crime decreases or conflicts are averted. But if the camera is turned off, it does not have any effect.
That’s why some experts suggest that the camera should have an auto-recording system and mandatory on-time.
What is public opinion?
Several studies in the US and the UK found that 70-80% of common citizens’ trust in the police increased when they came to know that officers wear cameras. In India too, after such experiments, the public has expressed more trust in the police.
Role in the judicial process
When video footage is available during the hearing of a case in the court, the decision becomes more fair and fast. This reduces issues like false witnesses and political pressure in the case.
Data privacy issue
There is no clear law in India yet regarding the privacy of data recorded from body cameras. This raises concerns that this data may leak or be misused.
Suggestion: India should soon make laws in this regard, so that the data of common people remains safe.
What could be the future direction?
- Body cameras may be made mandatory for all policemen
- Real-time cloud storage and AI-based video analysis will be possible
- Features like GPS, live transmission and emergency alerts can be added to the camera
- The use of BWC will be added to the police training curriculum
Conclusion: Is this the right direction?
Body-worn cameras are not just a tool, but an important step towards democracy, transparency and justice. While there are some technical and policy challenges, if overcome, this technology can make policing more accountable and trustworthy.
