Police forces in countries all over the world are using body cameras or considering the introduction of these small wearable devices. Most impact assessments are based on projects within one geographical area or jurisdiction. Yet, the results are sometimes seen as an answer to the general question: ‘Do bodycams work: yes or no?’
In the first part of this article, I present a meta-analysis aggregating nine impact assessments from three different countries. The average results are positive prompting the conclusion that bodycams work. However, the overwhelming majority of research on bodycams comes from the United States or the United Kingdom. As police forces in other countries try to copy projects from abroad, they quickly discover that bodycams are about much more than just acquiring the devices. Any bodycam program needs careful preparation and attention to implementation to enable the devices to work as intended. “Opening Up the Black Box: Understanding the Impact of Bodycams on Policing” verder lezen