Encyclopedia of Opinion
Question
What are the pros and cons of police wearing body cameras?
Position‹2 of 2

Police cameras are not beneficial

Police cameras are not beneficial as they make individuals susceptible to breaches of privacy, may negatively impact on policing, and, where badly managed or withheld, it does not serve the function it was created for.

Supporting arguments · 3

  1. Police cameras negatively affect an officer's performance
    A police officer's performance can be negatively affected with a body camera.
  2. Police footage may be unhelpful if badly managed.
    Police cameras are only as effective as they are managed. If footage is capable of being reviewed and edited, or withheld from relevant parties, this may be counterproductive to the aims of their provision.
  3. Police cameras are susceptible to breaching an individual's privacy and confidentiality
    Police cameras are at risk of infringing upon an individual's right to privacy and confidentiality.