When discussing ways to address the problem of police violence against black men and women, police body cameras — which are meant to increase accountability and help rebuild community trust — are often touted as a key part of the solution.
But a new study suggests that camera programs alone may not be as impactful as their proponents initially hoped.
The study, conducted by researchers from the Center for Evidence-Based Crime Policy at George Mason University and published Monday in the journal Criminology & Public Policy, is one of the largest reviews of academic research on body cameras to date.
And its findings are eye-opening: Researchers found that while body cameras are widely seen as a means of changing officer behavior for the better, in many departments the cameras have not had a consistent or significant effect on officer behavior or citizen opinion of police.