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Lens of Justice: Body Cameras and Policing
This article was co-authored with Sarah Tapia, RN.
Incorporating body cameras with raw bystander footage within the justice system is crucial in our ongoing search for accountability and transparency in policing. These technologies are not just a chance for police departments to train their officers but also to constantly monitor their behavior while on duty. Using video and audio analytic technology, police departments know whether an officer acts unacceptably or uses unprofessional language and instantly take necessary measures.
Our community and the police officers bear the responsibility for better outcomes. As a society, we are bound to advocate for more explicit standards and guidelines on using body cameras while also paying due attention to a civilian’s right to privacy and surveillance concerns. As to the police, they should guarantee honesty and accountability, proving to citizens that their conduct is subject to transparency for public inspection and must meet the highest ethical standards. Most importantly, federal lawmakers have to establish comprehensive legislation that enacts rules and standards for police departments on a national scale.
Democrats’ shiny “Justice in Policing Act” sets obvious rules about when police body cameras can be turned on and who can look at those videos. However, these rules…