Insights into Body-Worn Cameras Abroad: What We Know and Future Challenges
Exploring the use of body-worn cameras (BWCs) abroad, the discussion delves into current knowledge and forthcoming issues. Findings from studies highlight the impact on patrol officers, efficiency improvements, and the significance of research design in BWC rollouts. Considerations for successful implementation and evaluation are crucial for maximizing the benefits of BWC technology.
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Panel Discussion Five: Body-Worn Cameras Abroad What What Do We Know So Far & What Are the Issues Around Do We Know So Far & What Are the Issues Around the Corner? the Corner? Tom Ellis Institute of Criminal Justice Studies, University of Portsmouth, UK
http://eprints.port.ac.uk/16979/ http://tinyurl.com/h4r6ntr
Follow up study Larger study on mainland city, approx. 250,000 pop. Personal issue to all PATROL officers (effectively mandatory use) AIM: o identify enabling and hindering features of BWVC use affecting efficiency and effectiveness o report to operational managers o recommend changes o evaluate impact of changes DESIGN: Utilization focused action research METHODS: Human factors/contextual design secondary data analysis Focus groups and semi-structured interviews Technology Acceptance Model (TAM)
THIRD STUDY: Promoting justice: Professionalizing frontline policing with an evidence- based Structured Interview Protocol AIM: Enable front line/patrol officers to elicit high quality information from witnesses, victims, and persons of interest, in order to improve quality of evidence, resolution, prosecution, conviction etc. DESIGN & METHODS: Based on psychological theory of strategic control of memory reporting, and psychological developments in investigative interviewing, esp Self- Administered Interview (SAI - Gabbert, Hope et al) . Develop, test and train for on street 'Structured Interview Protocol' to strengthen FIRST ACCOUNT Randomised controlled trials (RCT) of the interview protocol in the field, with the College of Policing providing expert oversight and a quality assurance role. Double blind review of video camera footage to rate quality Correlate quality with CJ outcomes
WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR IF YOU ARE SETTING UP/ROLLING OUT: Your operational roll out determines your research design If you want to give all patrol officers BWCs, you cannot use RCT evaluation to determine whether cameras work But you can use BWCs do carry out RCTs on all other patrol and CJ developments (eg First account protocols) If you roll out on voluntary, pooled, staggered etc, basis, it limits the quality of any evaluation YOU NEED TO THINK ABOUT THESE TOGETHER AT THE BEGINNING
WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR Exploiting differences in emphasis in different countries USA UK/E&W BWV affect on police behaviour and professionalism Impact on crime and incivilities Procedural justice, public confidence/opinion Criminal justice process outcomes o early guilty pleas o more successful prosecutions o better evidence o reducing paper work Rialto: complaints and use of force Mesa: reducing civil liability, complaints & operational transparency Both - enhancing criminal prosecution CANADA Bureaucratic burden/FIDO Public perceptions of professionalism
WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR: CAMERAS IN CONTEXT The cameras require study per se (ease of use, capability, battery life, durability, attitudes of officers, quality of use) BUT they are relatively small part of implementing and managing BWV use. Popular with patrol officers who use them (and with public) BUT Unpopular (esp. initially) with investigation teams Joint link of with prosecutions and court systems STORAGE & RETRIEVAL (exponential growth of data vs investment in exponential developments in storage and data mining, bookmarking etc.)
CAN YOUR CJ IT SYSTEMS ROUTINELY PRODUCE THESE DATA FOR ALL CALLS AND CRIME?
WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR COSTS Short terms reductions in patrol officers paperwork, and therefore more time on patrol IF your CJ process accepts video evidence to some extent INSTEAD of paper/written electronic files AND CJ IT system linked to camera metrics/data Short term increases in investigation and processing of BWVC evidence UNTIL training and protocols take effect Short term increases in IT and associated costs Long term savings in terms of unit cost of cases, but no. of cases likely to increase
CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE FUTURE Factors we can & cannot (yet) include in RCTs %Camera switched on in all appropriate encounters? Gender Length of service Age Type of incident Leadership role & implementation factors Amount/quality of BWV training Technology acceptance measures (& change in it) Camera yes/no? (Camera switched on?) (Disciplinary record) Quality of use of camera narrative Quality of evidence to prosecutors Use of structured approach SAI Avoiding investigation questions on the front line
Standardised Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) Validated method of assessing culturally relevant information that identifies the gap between behavioural intentions in relation to BWV cameras (in this case) and the actual use of them Control groups need to match on TA - & changes in it over time Relationship to training impact is variable
Whether BWVCs work now overtaken by events Meanwhile: Traffic wardens Prison Officers Youth justice supervisors Special forces Private Security Guards Doormen/bouncers/ wellbeing wardens Ambulance crews A&E crews Carers in homes for elderly/others Fire service ASDA (Walmart) Home Delivery AND CRUCIALLY? Film or be filmed! http://www.citylab.com/crime/2014/10/in-brazil-where-police-killings-are-commonplace-cell- phone-cameras-play-a-powerful-role/381212/ Do you want to rely on everyone else s (potentially partial/edited) footage? Or ensure you have your own, which is high quality through training on evidential value?
3 options RCT policing as quasi experiment to prove cameras work (if you have no BWV cameras already and have large numbers) Use of cameras alongside evaluation to develop Management Information Systems and dashboards, upgrade IT to incorporate other developments, digital files, smartphones, etc. (if you can give every patrol officer a BWV camera) Just do what you have to, to comply!
Just around the corner Streaming to preserve evidence http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-31558269 Standalone cameras = poor quality, only docking into a back officer system puts them above smart phones Cloud storage with smart data mining Combined with overhead drones for public order, chases,etc. Investigation issues: Officer view vs investigator follow up 360O cameras/infra red for investigations 360 camera http://www.theverge.com/2015/7/29/9066323/foals-mountain-gates-video-virtual-reality Officers viewing/cognitive interview contamination
