5 Benefits of Implementing Police Camera Technology Into Your Unit
- Approval from the public According to a recent study from Cambridge University, police that are equipped with body cameras receive 93% fewer complaints from the public. This is especially helpful in communities with high levels of tension between citizens and police officers. When both police officers and community residents know there will be video evidence available, everyone is on their best behavior. When citizens do make false reports of misconduct, these body cameras can prove the police officer was justified in his or her actions.
- A clear picture Thanks to digital cameras and data storage, both police dash camera systems and body cams feature crisp, clear footage. Police reports can sometimes be confusing to understand, but the video can help paint a clear picture and remove uncertainty over a particular situation. The technology will only continue to improve.
- Enhanced evidence collection Things happen quite fast in the world of law enforcement, and it can be a challenge to collect adequate evidence from the crime scene in a timely manner. But when you use a video, it will provide a non-biased view of the incident as a whole. It is also a valuable piece of evidence for the court system, as it will give concrete information for the judge and lawyers to base their case off of.
- Identifies patterns of behavior Police dash camera systems are great learning tools as well. They are helpful for units looking to improve their communication and tactics, both between each other and with those they are protecting and serving. In addition, they can help to identify areas where they need to improve their training with new officers and re-certification with senior members.
- Improved behavior While many community members believe that police officers will behave more ethically when wearing body cameras, many police officers believe the same is true about suspects they encounter on the job. In general, individuals who know they are being filmed are less likely to act violently when being arrested or stopped, which increases the safety of everyone involved.