Technology to Counter Police Mistrust_Good

The Use of
Technology to
Counter Police
Mistrust

Team: Ian Wilson, Tharen Usi, Leticia Sanchez, Brian Rono,

Travis Fugate, Anna Pomelov, Sherina Gandia

Using Technology to Counter Police Mistrust: Good

Table of Contents

Cover page

Deliverables, Policymaker, Cost effectiveness, Topics to bring up.2

Research Responsibilities, Teams Strongest Argument..3

Historical4

Technical Factors.5

Stakeholders6 - 8

History of Body Cameras.9 - 11

Societal Factors...12

Legal Factors13

Economic Factors14

Interview with Corporal Carolyn McIntyre.15 - 20

Recommendations to Policy Makers.21

Using Technology to Counter Police Mistrust: Good

Isitethicalforpolicetousewearabletechto
counterpublicmistrust?

Deliverables
:A20minutemediatedpresentationtotheappropriatedecisionmakers
(consensusdeterminedbyeachtopicteam)andaprintedProposalforacourseof
action.ThemediatedpresentationshouldbeasynopsisoftheprintedProposal.Each
shouldinclude:
1. Theproblemdefinition
(Whatistheissueathand?Whyisitaproblemthat
needstobeaddressed?)
2. Historical/Legalcontext
(Whatisthehistoryofthisissue?Whatsocietal,
economic,andtechnologicalfactorshaveaffectedthecurrentissue?What
currentlawsarebeingchallenged?)
3. Stakeholders
(Whoareallofthepeopleinvolvedwithand/oraffectedbythe
potentialchanges?)
4. Competitiveanalysis
(Whatothersourcesoftraditionalandonlineinformation
arecurrentlyavailabletotheworldspopulationregardingtheseissues?Howdo
eachservetheAmericanandnonAmericaninterests?)
5. Economicfactors
(Whataretheeconomicissuesthatneedtobeconsidered?
Whatwillitcost?)
6. Technologicalfactors
(Whatarethetechnologicalissuesthatneedtobe
considered?Arenewtechnologiesneeded?)
7. Recommendations
(Whatcourseofactionshouldbetaken?)
8. ProsandCons
(Whataretheadvantages,disadvantages,andpotential
consequencesoftherecommendedactions?)

Thepolicymaker
:

GovernorStateLegislation

Costeffectiveness
:
training

Topicstobringup
:
MichaelBrownshooting/DarrenWilsonofficernotbeingindicted
EricGarner/DanielPantaleoofficernotbeingindicted
OscarGrant

Using Technology to Counter Police Mistrust: Good

ResearchResponsibilities
:
1. History
a. IanWilson
2. SocietalFactors
a. TharenUsi
3. EconomicFactors
a. LeticiaSanchez
4. TechnologicalFactors
a. BrianRono
b. TravisFugate
5. LawsBeingChallenged
a. AnnaPomelov
6. Stakeholders
a. SherinaGandia

OurTeamsStrongestArgument:
1. Whatisourteamsstrongestargument?
a. TheBodyWornCamerashelpoutboththepublicandthepoliceofficers.
Bybeingabletorecordallactions,italsohelpstoreducethepaperwork
duefromtheofficers.Ratherthanhavingtoduepaperworkstatingthe
incidents,times,quotes,etc.,theywouldhavetoreferenceavideoanda
timestamp.
2. Whatisouropponentsteamsstrongestargument?
a. PrivacyconcernsareastrongargumentagainstimplementingBWC.
Statementsarepubliclyavailable.Ifavideoisapartofareference,itmay
berequested.
b. Cost(oftechnology/equipment)(ofprivacy)
3. Howwillwecounterthisargument?
a. Thegeneralpublicalreadyhasaccesstoacamera,andifanyrecording
weretobeleaked,itwouldmorethanlikelybepostedbyapersonofthe
generalpublicratherthanapoliceofficer.CostEffectivenessthecostof
thetechnologywillbeusedfrequentlyenoughtojustifyitspurchase.

Using Technology to Counter Police Mistrust: Good

ThoughtsTravisFugate

Historical:
WhenconsideringhavingAmericaspoliceequippedwithcamerasonetheme
continuallyarises,Whataboutpublicprivacy?
Toprovideaproperhistoricalcontextforthistopicseveralthingsshouldbeexplored:
Whatconstitutionallawallowsorrequiresourgovernmenttodeployanactive
policeforce?
Whatrightsdothepeoplehavethatprotectthemagainstinvasionofprivacy,
seizureofproperty,E.T.C.bythepoliceforce?
Whathasbeentheprogressionoftechnologiesdeployedbythepoliceforceand
whatinitiatedthem?Radio,cars,assaultweapons,wiretaps,etc.

IntroSummary
Clearlystatethesubjectandouropinion.
Tipthereaderontheprimaryconceptsorpointstheyshouldexpecttofind.
Abriefnoteonsocialcontextandafinalsentenceonwhatwewillproposebedoneto
addressthesubject.

Isitethicaltoequippoliceofficeswithwearabletechtocounterpublicmistrust?
Ourpanelhascompiledhistoricalandthemostuptodateinformationonthis
issue.Wehavecometotheconclusion,asweexpectyouwillto,]thatindeedwearable
techintheformofbodycamerasCANBEDEPLOYEDETHICALLY.Letitbeclearthat
thesecamerasandthepoliciesimplementingtheiruseholdtheprimarystakeholders,
theAmericanpublic,bestinterestinmind.Thecamerasarenotintendedtomonitorthe
publicbutinsteadtomonitorthepoliceinteractionswiththepublicthatithasswornto
protect.Withtheimplementationofthisnewtechnologycriminalsandofficersalikewill
beheldaccountablewiththestrongestevidencewhenthesafetyandfreedomsofthe
Americanpublicareputatrisk.
Afterreviewingthehistoricalinformation,variousstakeholdersinterest,the
economicsofthispursuit,inthesocialcontextinwhichwelive,weknowthatyouwill
cometothesameconclusionthattheprosfaroutweighthecons.Withpoliceofficers
beingheldaccountableandcriminalsbeingprosecutedmorequicklyandmorejustly,
TheAmericanpublicwillbesafer.Theinjusticesthatwehaveseenintherecentpast
willbetoolsoflearningnottoolsthattearatthefabricthatmakesusthediversenation
weareandwillcontinuetobe.

Using Technology to Counter Police Mistrust: Good

TechnologicalFactorsBrianRono

Whattobringup:
Whatisit?
Camerasattachedtothepoliceofficerinavisiblewaythatwouldrecord
theiractionsandwordsandsavedtoadatabase.
Whatdoesitdo?
Thecameraswouldhelpensurethatboththepoliceofficerandthepublic
wouldbeactinginadignifiedwaywheninteractingwithoneanother.It
wouldalsohelpbringtolightanyissuesthatwouldhelpindictordefend
thepoliceorthepublic.
Whenwillitbeused?
Policeofficerswouldberequiredtowearabodycameraatalltimes
duringtimeonclock.
Howwillitbeused?
Atthediscretionoftheofficer.Policieshaveyettobefinalized.
Howmuchdoesitcost?
60,000todeployto35,000officers
Howitwilllikelywork.
*Mediastorage
*MediaAccess
*Qualityofcamera(Canlicenseplateorinsurancecardinfobecapturedwiththese
cameras?)
*Arethereareaswherethedigitalmediamightbeatrisk?(Criminalscouldhacka
databaseofmedia,digitalmediacouldbeinterceptedwhilebeingsentoverthenet?)

BodycameraswerefirstadoptedbytheBritishpolicein2005inasmallscaletestby
theDevonandCornwallPolice.In2006,BodyWornCamerasweredeployedinheavier
adoptionbythePoliceStandardUnitasapartoftheDomesticViolenceEnforcement
Campaign.Thecameraswereusedtorecordeverythingthathappensbetweentimeof
arrivalofanincidenttotimeofconclusion.NewYorkpolicearenowtestingbodyworn
cameras.Twotypesarebeingimplemented:AonepiecefromVievu,andatwopiece
fromTaserInternational,whichtheactivationswitchandbatteryareseparatefromthe
camera.Thecosttoimplementthesystemisaround$60,000,paidforbythePolice
Foundation,anonprofitgroupthatraisesmoneyforactivitiesnotcoveredinthepolice
budget.Thecamerasarecurrentlyactivatedatthediscretionoftheofficer,duetoan
unfinalizedpolicy.Dependingonthecircumstance,officerscouldberequiredtorecord,
prohibitedfromrecording,orgiventhediscretiontochoose.

Using Technology to Counter Police Mistrust: Good

StakeholdersSherinaGandia

1. PoliceDepartments:
a. UniformedPoliceOfficersTheirdutiesinclude(butarenotlimitedto)
regularpatrol,includingcommunitypolicing(
apracticeinwhichanofficer
buildsrelationshipswiththecitizensoflocalneighborhoodsandmobilizes
thepublictohelpfightcrime
)callsforservice,includingaccidents
paperworkfirstaidinvestigations.
i. Stakes:Trustofthecommunityandindividualsinit.Accountability
andprofessionalismwhileonpatrol,communicatingwithcitizens,
givingfirstaid,conductinginvestigations,alongwithotherduties.
b. StatePoliceOfficersAKAStateTroopersorHighwayPatrolOfficers
Theirfocusofdutyistoenforcemotorvehiclelawsandregulations.Other
tasksincluderespondingtocallsofserviceissuingtrafficcitations(atthe
sceneofaccidents)theymaydirecttraffic,givefirstaid,andcallfor
emergencyequipment,writereportstodeterminethecauseofthe
accident.
i. Stakes:TrustofcommutersAccountabilityandprofessionalism
duringissuingofcitations,givingfirstaid,writingreportsthatmatch
thefootage.
c. Detectives(plainclothesinvestigators)Theirdutiesaretogatherfacts
andcollectevidenceforcriminalcases.Theymaybeassignedto
interagencytaskforcestotackleparticulartypesofcrime.Otherduties
includeriskytaskssuchasconductinginterviews,observingtheactivities
ofsuspects,andparticipatinginraidsand/orarrests.
i. Stakes:Accountabilityandprofessionalism,forexample:when
conductinginterviews,observingactivitiesofsuspects,and/or
participatinginraidsand/orarrests.
2. DepartmentofHomelandSecurityemploysnumerouslawenforcementofficers
withinseveraldifferentagenciestoinclude:Customs&BorderProtection,
Immigration&CustomsEnforcement,andU.S.SecretService.
a. DHSemploysmorethan240,000employeesinjobsthatrangefrom
aviationandbordersecuritytoemergencyresponse,fromcybersecurity
analysttochemicalfacilityinspector.
i. Stakes:Accountabilityandprofessionalismduringthenumerous
dutiesperformedwithinnumerousborders.
3. Public:
a. Witness
1)n.apersonwhotestifiesunderoathinatrial(oradeposition
whichmaybeusedinatrialifthewitnessisnotavailable)withfirsthand

Using Technology to Counter Police Mistrust: Good

orexpertevidenceusefulinalawsuit.Apartytothelawsuit(plaintiffor
defendant)maybeawitness.2)apersonwhoseesanevent.
i. Stakes:Privacy,anonymity,wellbeing,everydaylives.
b. Criminal
1)n.apopulartermforanyonewhohascommittedacrime,
whetherconvictedoftheoffenseornot.Moreproperlyitshouldapplyonly
tothoseactuallyconvictedofacrime.Repeatoffendersaresometimes
calledhabitualcriminals.
i. Stakes:Exposureandanonymity.
c. Suspect
Incriminallaw,asuspectissomeonewhoisundersuspicion,
oftenformallyannouncedasbeingunderinvestigationbylawenforcement
officials.Probablecauseforanarrestexistswhenthefactsand
circumstanceswithinthearrestingofficer'sknowledgearesufficientto
warrantaprudentpersontobelievethatasuspecthascommitted,is
committing,orisabouttocommitacrime.
i. Stakes:Privacy,exposure,anonymity.
d. VictimApersonharmed,injured,orkilledasaresultofacrime,accident,
orothereventoraction.
i. Stakes:Privacy,security,andwellbeing.
e. Citizens(pedestrians,students,workers,children,etc.)
i. Stakes:Privacy,exposure,security,wellbeing,everydaylives.
f. Reporter
Apersonwhoreports,especiallyoneemployedtoreportnews
orconductinterviewsfornewspapersorbroadcasts.
i. Stakes:Professionalismandhonesty
4. SecurityCompanies:
a. EVIDENCE.COMasystemthat
collects,transfers,manages,retrieves
andsharesanyformofdigitalevidence.
i. Stakes:Reputation,money,accountability,performance,reliability,
andsecurity(makingsurestoredfootagedoesntgetintothewrong
hands).
b. VERIPATROL.COMasecuresoftwaresystemforthestorage,retrieval,
andmanagementofvideofilesfromVIEVUlawenforcementcamera
systems.
i. Stakes:
Reputation,money,accountability,performance,reliability,
andsecurity(makingsurestoredfootagedoesntgetintothewrong
hands).

Using Technology to Counter Police Mistrust: Good

5. TechnologyCompanies:
a. Taser,Coban,VIEVU
i. Stakes:
Reputation,money,accountability,performance,reliability,
andsecurity(makingsurestoredfootagedoesntgetintothewrong
hands).
6. NCLECTC(NationalLawEnforcement&CorrectionsTechnologyCenter)
7. AmericanCivilLibertiesUnion
8. Judges(multiplelevels)
9. Lawmakers
10. Investigators

Sources:
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/05/nyregion/newyorkpoliceofficerstobeginwearing
bodycamerasinpilotprogram.html

http://www.cnn.com/2014/12/05/opinion/omarapolicecameraprotection/index.html

http://discoverpolicing.org/whats_like/?fa=types_careers

http://legaldictionary.thefreedictionary.com/witness

http://definitions.uslegal.com/s/suspect/

http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/victim

http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/reporter

Using Technology to Counter Police Mistrust: Good

HistoryofBodyCameras:IanWilson
Whattobringup:
CamerasintheUK
IntroductionofbodycamsandMarkDuggan
http://www.bbc.com/news/ukenglandlondon27313500
Areasthatalreadyhavebodycameras
LAPDtoequipallofficerswithbodycams
http://rt.com/usa/215383alllapdwearbodycameras/
Policeforcesusingbodycameras
http://www.vocativ.com/usa/justiceusa/policeforcewearingbodycamera
s/
Crimeratesbeforeandafter
Reductioninuseofforcecomplaints
http://www.policefoundation.org/content/bodyworncameraspoliceusefo
rce
Whythepush?
EricGarnerandMichaelBrown
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/michaelbrownandericgarnerthepolice
useofforceandrace/
Howthiswillbegood
ABriefHistory

TheuseofBodyWornCameras(BWC),alsoknownasHeadCamsintheUK
(White,2014),hasbecomearisingissuewithinthesocialjusticesphere.Mostrecently
withthedeathofMichaelBrowntherehasbeenagreatercallbyactiviststobegin
implementingthemonawidespreadscalewiththeaimofcurtailingpolicebrutality
(James,2014).WhileadvocatingBWCsmayseemtobearecenttopicitisinfacta
practicethatdatesbackalmosttenyears.
InDecember2005thePlymouthBCU(BasicCommandUnit)inPlymouth
Englandpurchasedasinglecameraunittobeusedasatestforpoliceworncameras.
ThecamerawasdeployedduringthePoliceStandardsUnitsDomesticViolence
EnforcementCampaigninFebruaryof2006.Thiswouldleadtothesuccessful
prosecutionofFionaLinehanfordomesticviolenceinMarch2006.FionaLinehanstrial
wasalsothefirsttimeBWCswerecoveredinthemediaonaworldwidescale,thus
introducingtheconceptintopoliticalconversation.FollowingthissuccesstheHead
CameraProjectwaslaunchedinPlymouth,thistimeutilizing300officersandranfrom
th
th
October27
2006toMarch27
2007(Goodall,2007).Theprojectwasconsideredan
overallsuccessandsetthefoundationforconsiderationofBWCsonanationalscale

Using Technology to Counter Police Mistrust: Good

10

(2014).However,thenextmajorstepforBWCsintheUKdidnotcomeuntilafterthe
deathofMarkDugganin2011.Aftertheriotsthatensuedamajorpushresultedina
renewedeffortadvocatingBWCsforofficers.AsofMay2014,theMetropolitanPoliceis
testing500unitsin10districts(BBC,2014).
ItishardertopinpointtheexactbeginningsofBWCsintheUS,however,
dashcamshavebeeneverpresentsincethe1990s(White,2014).Oneofearliest
instanceswas2010wheretheCincinnatiPoliceDepartmentbegantestingBWCs(CBS
News,2010).StudieshavealsobeenconductedbytheRialto,CAPoliceDepartment
aswellastheMesaandPhoenix,AZdepartments(White,2014).AccordingtoRT,as
of2014theLAPDwillbecomethefirstmajorPoliceForcetoattempttooutfititsentire
forceof7,000withBWCs,havingalreadyinvestedin1,200units(RT,2014).Voactiv
reportsthatabout41majorcitiesintheUSarecurrentlyusingBWCs(Tracy,Fox,
Walsh,2014).
WiththeapparentrunawaysuccessreportedinstudiesconcerningBWCsthe
questionarisesastohowmuchtheyactuallyhelp.Themostapparentthemeoverall,
acrossallstudieshasshownabeneficialrelationshipwhereinboththeofficerswiththe
camerasandthevictimswhoexperiencedanofficerwithacamerareportedanincrease
intransparencyandcivilbehaviorduringthealtercation.Rialto,CAreportedthat
complaintsagainstpolicedeclinedby88percentduringtheBWCtestperiod.The
PlymouthHeadCameraProjectalsoreleasedresultsfromasurveyof36victims.As
explainedbyMichaelWhite,26(72percent)reportedthatthebodyworncamerawas
beneficialduringtheencounterwithpolice,and29victims(81percent)reportedthat
theyfeltsaferasaresultofthecameras(White,2014).However,consideringthat
therewere3,054incidentsfilmedduringthisstudythissurveymayappeartrivial.
Nonetheless,itprovidessolidnumbersforapotentialsolutionthatcouldbecomea
majorgamechangerconcerningtheissuesofpolicebrutality.
AlthoughitmayseemthatPoliceBodyWornCamerasaregoingtoberollingout
everywherewithinthenextfewyearsthereisstillalargeamountoffocusedtestingthat
needstobedone.Thatbeingsaid,BWCshavethepotentialtobridgethegapbetween
whatthepoliceandvictimsreport.Whileitcanonlybespeculatedthatthingsmayhave
turnedoutdifferentlyifthecopwhoshotMichaelBrownorMarkDugganhadbeen
wearingacameraduringtheincident,theevidenceleansheavilytowardsahappier
ending.

References:

White,MichaelD..PoliceOfficerBodyWornCameras:AssessingtheEvidence,
Washington,DC:OfficeofCommunityOrientedPolicingServices,2014.

10

Using Technology to Counter Police Mistrust: Good

11

James,Nathan.CanBodyWornCamerasServeasaDeterrenttoPolice
Misconduct?,
FederationofAmericanScientists
,August28,2014,
http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/IN10142.pdf.
Goodall,Martin.GuidanceforthePoliceUseofBodyWornDevices:Policeand
Crimes
StandardsDirectorate,July2007,
http://library.college.police.uk/docs/homeoffice/guidancebodyworndevices.pdf.
BBCNews,MetropolitanPoliceofficersstartwearingbodycameras,
BBCNews
London
,
May8,2014,http://www.bbc.com/news/ukenglandlondon27313500.
Mitchell,Russ.PoliceHeadCamerasCaptureAction,Evidence,
CBSNews
,April4,
2010,
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/policeheadcamerascaptureactionevidence/.
RT,LAPDBecomesFirstMajorPoliceForceToEquipAllOfficersWithBody
Cameras,
RT
,
December17,2014,http://rt.com/usa/215383alllapdwearbodycameras/.
Tracy,Abigail,Fox,EJ,andWalsh,Ryan.IsYourPoliceForceWearingBody
Cameras?,
Voactiv
,November15,2014,
http://www.vocativ.com/usa/justiceusa/policeforcewearingbodycameras/.

11

Using Technology to Counter Police Mistrust: Good

12

Whatsocietalfactorshaveaffectedtheissue?TharenUsi

Nationwideprotests/riotsoverMichaelBrown&EricGarner.
Publictrustissueswiththepolicedepartment
Socialmediaimpact
Policeofficersgettingawaywiththeissueseasily

EversincethelatestincidentinvolvingMichaelBrown,therehavebeenafewpublic
outcriesacrossthenation.Therehavebeenrecklessriotsandevenafewpeaceful
protestsinordertogetjusticefortheincidentandothercoincidentalincidentsthathave
followedit.Notonlydidpeoplegettheirvoiceacrossthroughthesemeans,butalso
throughsocialmedia.Infact,thesocialmediaimpactwassostrongthatalmostdaily,
trendingtopicsoverFergusonweretrendingonTwitter.Accordingtodatagiventothe
WallStreetJournal,morethan7.8milliontweetshavementionedtheMichaelBrown
incidentsinceAugust9of2014.

Resources:

http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2014/08/13/3470555/socialmediafergusonresponse/

http://pando.com/2014/08/18/over78milliontweetshavementionedfergusoninthepast9
days/

http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/lakersnow/lasplnkobebryantprotestnotraceb
utjustice20141210story.html

12

Using Technology to Counter Police Mistrust: Good

13

Whatlegalfactorsplayintotheissue?AnnaPomelov

AmericanCivilLibertiesUnionrecommendationsnoactuallawsseemtobein
placeconcerningbodycameras
https://www.aclu.org/technologyandliberty/yourrightprivacy
Basicrightsto
privacy

Therearenostateornationallawsinplaceconcerningbodycamerapolicy.Thereare
merelysuggestionsmadebyAmericanagencies,alongwithpoliciesputinplaceby
theindividualpolicedepartmentsthatdecidetousebodycameras.There
are
basic
rightstoprivacyoutlinedintheBillofRightsbuttheuseofbodycamerasdontseemto
breaktheserightssincemoreandmoredepartmentsaredecidingtousewearabletech
withnotroublefromthelaw,andinfact,getencouragedwithinitiativesandmoneyfrom
thenationallevel.

Sources:

http://www.latimes.com/nation/lanabodycameras20140927story.html#page=1

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/lamelnlapdbodycameras20141104story.html

http://www.justice.gov/iso/opa/resources/472014912134715246869.pdf

https://www.aclu.org/blog/criminallawreformimmigrantsrightstechnologyandlibertyf
reespeechnationalsecurity/body

http://www.bbc.com/news/ukenglandlondon27313500

13

Using Technology to Counter Police Mistrust: Good

14

EconomicFactorsLeticiaSanchez

WolfcomPoliceBodyCameras
Theyhavetwotypesofcameras
Wolfcom3rdeye$475
WolfcomVision$249
Thecostformoreaccountabilitycomeswithapricetag,anditsnotjustthe
cameras.
GreenvilleCityPoliceDepartment
Accordingtolawenforcementagencies:
Bodycamerascanrangefromaslittleas$100toroughly$1,000
TheGreenvillePoliceDepartmentbought40bodycamerasatacostof
$865eachinNovember2011.
$2000peryear
Italsoneedtotakecareofwheretheyregoingtostoretheinformation
andhowmuchtimetheywanttosaveit.
Thedepartmenthasstoredroughly400gigabytesofbodycamera
butthosedontincludeincarvideos.
PickensCountySheriffRickClarkserverspaceforbodycameras
recordingcancost$10,000$15,000foradepartmenthissizethathas92
swornofficers.
CostofImplementation
Thepriceofbodyworncameracurrentlyrangesfromapproximately
$120tonearly$2,000foreachdevice.
Thepricechangedependingonthefunctionality,storagecapacity,and
batterylife.
AsanexampletheNewOrleansPoliceDepartmenthasdeploy350body
camerasatanexpectedcostof$1.2millionoverfiveyears.

Sources:

http://www.greenvilleonline.com/story/news/local/2014/12/27/costprivacyamongconce
rnspolicebodycameras/20938753/

http://www.justice.gov/iso/opa/resources/472014912134715246869.pdf

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/09/12/policebodycameras/15522059
/

14

Using Technology to Counter Police Mistrust: Good

15

Interviewwith
Co
rporal
Ca
rolyn
Mc
Intyre
Conductedby:
A
nnaPomelov
&
B

rianRono
Conductedon:17February2015

A&B:
"Doyousupporttheissuingofbodywarmcamerasforofficers?"

CCM:
YesIdo,andIthinkthatsthemajorityofofficer'sview.Asyouknowwhen
peoplearebeingrecordedtheykindofchangetheirbehaviorbecausetheyknow
peoplearewatching.WhatI'veexperienced,sincewehaveaudioandvideorecording
inourcarsalready,whenIcomeacrossasubjectwho'sirateorupsetIsimplyinform
them,"Ijustwantedtoletyouknowthatthisconversationisbeingrecorded."This
usuallytendstoputtheminplaceandithelpstheofficersinalotofcases.Italsohelps
withcomplaintsthatcomeinbecausealotofpeoplecomplainthatanofficerwasrude,
oranofficerillegallystoppedthem,andthenwehaveitallonrecording.I'vehada
firsthandexperiencewhereaguycameinandsaidthisofficerwas'allthesethings'
andthetrafficstopwasillegal.Ireviewedthevideoandtherewasnothingwrongwith
whattheofficerdid.Theviolatorclearlyblewthroughastopsignandhejustwantedout
oftheticket.Theofficerwrotehimaticketandhewasreallyupsetaboutthatkept
tryingtoarguewiththeofficer.Theofficerjustsaidthattherewasadateandtimeatthe
courtdatebelow,andtheycandiscussitfurtherwiththejudge.Alotofpeoplesimply
don'tlikethatanswer.

CCM:
SoIthinkit'sreallyhelpfulasfarasdeterringcomplaintsthatareinvalidagainst
officers.Itclearsupthatissueandbringscredibilitytoourofficerswhenwe'reon
campus.Italsoallowsforpeopletoseeourperspectiveasweretalkinganddealing
withpeopleinthepublic.Theydon'treallygettoseewhatwe'redoingoutthere.They
justhearwhatthemediawantstotellthem,whichisobviouslyfilteredtotheir
advantage.I'msureyouveheardonlineabouthowleadersofprotestsagainstpolice
violencehavebeeninvitedtopolicetrainingworkshops.Specifically,useofforce
workshops.Theyarerecorded,theyhavebodycamerasonthem,andtheyhave
shoot/don'tshootscenarios.Theygetputinanofficer'splace.Itcouldbeascenariolike
adomesticviolencedisputeandthey'rebeingrecordedtheentiretime.Theyhavethe
option,whattheywouldyoudoinaparticularscenarioandalotofthemendup
shootingthesuspectbecausethesuspectcomesatthemwithaknifeorthey'reshot
andkilledbeforetheycanevenreachfortheirgun.

A&B:
"Doyouthinkthepublicshouldhaveaccesstothefootage?"

15

Using Technology to Counter Police Mistrust: Good

16

CCM:
That'salegalityissue.Theywillnothaveaccesstoallofthefootage,justthe
footagethatispertinenttothecaseorthatrelatestotheincident.Andwhensomething
happenswithanofficer,whatmostpeopledon'tunderstand,thereisalarge
investigationthatgoeson.It'scalledaninternalinvestigation.Officersindepartments
can'ttalkaboutituntilit'scompletelydone.Justasgagordersareinplaceforjurors
andthoseinvolvedincourtorders,it'sthesamekindofconcept.It'snotthatthepolice
departmentdoesn'twanttotalkabouttheincident,it'sjustthatwecan't,legally.

Asfarashavingcapturedfootage,I'vedoneatrafficstopmyselfandthepersonwas
adamantthattheydidn'trunthestopsign.Iinvitedthembacktothepatrolcartohave
theviewthevideofootage,rightthenandthere,whichisreallybeneficialtome,
showingthemwhatIsaw.Theylookedatthevideoandafterwardshadnothingtosay
orthey'relike,"IthoughtIdidstop."AndwhatIfindisthatmostofthetimethey'renot
lying,it'sdifferentperceptions.Theyreally,ultimatelythinkthattheystoppedatthatstop
signtheydidn't.SowhentheyseewhatIsawthemtheycanactuallystepoutoftheir
pointofviewandstepintomine.Peoplethinkthatperceptionisthereality,andthat's
notalwaysthecase.

Bodycamerasaremountedondifferentlocationsonofficer.Therecanbeonlapels,
eyeglasses,hats,helmets,pockets.Andifyougotoauseofforcelikeashooting
incidentorsomethingandyouhaveyourcameramountedonyourpocket,yourhands
blockthecamerawhenyoushoot.Thisissuecameupwithtasersbecausesometasers
havecamerasonthem.Butthegripwassosmallthatyourpinkyfingerwouldcoverthe
camera.Inahighstressmomentyou'renotthinkingaboutyourcamera.Imeanthere
arepoliciespoliciesforeverything.Thesepoliciesoutlinewhentoactivateour
recordings.Ourincarcamerasactivatewhenyouconductatrafficstop.They
automaticallyactivatewhenyouturnyour3codelightsonoryourairhorncertainthings
automaticallyactivateit.Itactuallystartsrecording30secondsprior.Thisisreallygood
forofficersbecauseittendstocapturetheviolationoncamera.Soifwegetbodyworn
camerastherewillbecertainpolicyregulationsastowhenofficerswillturnthecamera
on.Itwon'tbeuptotheofficers'discretion.Thepolicieswillsay,"ifyou'reatthiscall,
turniton."Iwouldimaginethatofficersnotusedtowearingbodycameraswouldhavea
hardtimerememberingtoturniton.ButIthinktheyoungergenerationofficersareall
forhavingcamerasbecause,again,it'sonemorethingtobackusup.Youdon't
becomeacoptoviolatepeople'srights.Youdon'tbecomeacoptogoshootpeople.
Youdon'tbecomeacoptodoallthesethingsthemediaportraysustodo.Webecome
policeofficersbecausewewanttoprotectandservethecommunity.

16

Using Technology to Counter Police Mistrust: Good

17

Inthisprofessionaswithanyotherprofessionthereareafewbadapples.Wecan't
preventthatwetry.Wehaverigorousbackgroundsbeforesomeonegetshired.It
usuallytakessixmonthstogethiredfromthewrittentesttopassingapolygraphtest.
It'snotjustlike,"Ohyou'resoandso?Congratulations,here'sabadgeandagun.
Onceyougethiredyouhavetogotoasixmonthacademy.Then,ifyoumakeitoutof
theacademy,you'reonprobation.Sothere'shugesteps,you'renotasoloofficeruntil
twoyearsafteryou'rehired.Sowithallthenegativemediaattentionyoujusthavetoput
itinthebackofyourmind.Andwehopecamerasaregoingtobegovernment
implementedprettysoon.Hopefullythegovernmentcanprovidefunding.

A&B:
Whatbarriersdoyouseethatwouldhinderprogress?

CCM:
Money.ThetwobiggestcompaniesthatprovidebodycamerasareTaserand
Watchdog.Youcanbuyciviliantasersbuttheyspecializeinlawenforcementgear.
TheyhaveabodyworncameracalledAxonandtheymanagealltherecordings,which
ishugebecausestorageisanissuewithpolicedepartments.ImagineLAPD.Theyhave
hundredsofthousandsofofficerswithintheirPoliceDepartmentanditwouldbea
nightmaretomanageallthatstorage.Withthepurchaseofanaxonbodycameraatthe
endofthedayyoucanuploadallyourvideothatyouhadandthatcompany,Taser,
managesthestorageofit.Ofcourseitdoesn'tcomefreeanditdependsonhowmany
officersyouhave.Itcancostupto$41,000foroneyearfor15officerstostoredata.
Watchguardisanotherbodyworncameracompany.There'splentyofcompaniesout
therebutwewantcredible,reliablecompaniesforourmanagementsystemasfaras
camerasgo.Sothosearetwothatwehaveintheworksbutmoneyisthebiggestissue.
It'snotthatofficersdon'twanttowearthem,it'sthemoney.Likeus,wehave15patrol
andwedon'thave$41,000ontheside.Ifwedowewanttouseitforsomethingthatwe
reallyneed.Andit'shardtosayifwewillhavefundingeverysingleyear.

A&B:
Whatwouldyousayisthegeneralconsensusofofficersconcerningbodyworn
cameras?

CCM:
Ican'tspeakforallofficersandofcoursethere'sgoingtobesomeofficersthat
don'twanttowearthem.Themajorityofthosethatdon'twanttowearthemarethe
oldergeneration.Iwouldsaytheoldergenerationsarekindofstuckintheirway.They
don'twanttherecordings,buttheyoungergenerationsseehowmisconstruedthe
mediacanbe.Ithinkit'sverybeneficial.TherehavebeentimesIwasgratefulIhadmy
recordingon.Ifsomeonetriedtomakeacomplaintorsomething,Icouldcompletely
squashitandsayIhavearecordingrighthere.SoIwouldsaythere'sageneration
barrierforthat.

17

Using Technology to Counter Police Mistrust: Good

18

A&B:
Howdoyouthinktheywouldplayatauniversitysetting?Howwouldstudents
andfacultyfeelabouttheuseofbodyworncameras?

CCM:
Idon'tknowiftheywouldfeelanydifferent.Ifitgivesthemgreatjoythatwehave
bodycameras,thenfine,great!Weloveit,theyloveit,we'reallonthesamepage.But
alotofpeopledon'tlikebeingrecorded.Ifwegotoacallandwehavearedlight
flashingintheirfacetheymightyellatustoturntherecordingoff,thatweareviolating
theirprivacy.SoIcanseepeopleplayingthatkindofcardbuthopefullyit'llworkoutfor
thebetter.Ireallyfeellikeifyouinformsomebodythattheyarebeingrecorded,they
instantlychange.Sometimesyourolluptoatrafficstopandtheyalreadyhavetheir
phonepreppedandrecordingyou.Andwhenthathappenswedon'tactanydifferent,I
saythesamestuff.EverytimeIpullsomebodyoverIsaythesamething,nomatter
what.Havingtheirphoneupisnotgoingtochangemytactics.Iftheywanttosaythat
theyrerecordingmeI'llsayI'mrecordingyouaswell,we'rerecordingeachother,the
morerecording,thebetter!Itshowstheviolator'sperspectiveandthenitshowsthe
officer'sperspectivetoo.

A&B:
Hastherebeenadiscussionwithinyourforce?Haveyouheardanyonesayit'sa
hugemistakeorthattheydon'twanttocameraonthematalltimes?

CCM:
YesIwouldsayeverylawenforcementagencyistalkingaboutitnowbecause
Obamaisactuallyputtingfundsasideforit.He'smainlydirectingittowardslarge
agenciesbecausetheyreallyneedthefunding.Ourchiefisallforgettingcameras
though,soit'sintheworks,justamatteroffunding.Idon'tthinkI'veeverheardanyone
saythatitwouldbeahugemistake.AndIdon'tthinkanyofficerhassaidthattheydon't
wanttocameraonthematalltimes.Thethingisthecamerawouldn'tberecordingatall
times.Theofficerhastohittherecordbuttonortherehastobeanautomaticsignalto
tellthecameratorecordlikeinourcars.Theofficerswouldknowwhenthey'rebeing
recorded.LikeIsaidit'snottheirdiscretion,they'retoldbypolicywhentoturniton.

A&B:
Withtherecordingsbeingsentovertoathirdparty,doyouthinkPublicopinion
wouldchange?

CCM:
Wellit'sonthem.It'sadifferentcompanysoitwouldn'thaveanythingtodowith
us.Ithinkyouwouldhavemorepeoplebeingdisgruntlediftherewasadatabreach
internally,withinadepartment.TaserandWatchdogarenotlawenforcementrelated,
theyarecivilians.It'slikeMicrosoftOfficethatwerecontractedwith.Soiftheywereto
haveasecuritybreachorsomethingwhichishighlyunlikelyforTaser,itwouldbeon

18

Using Technology to Counter Police Mistrust: Good

19

them.IbelieveLAPDjustwenttothemfortheirAxoncameras.Essentiallypeopleare
alwaysgoingtotalkdoestechnologyworkallthetime?No.Infactwehave260
camerashereoncampus.Dotheyworkallthetime?AsktheITdepartment.Andithas
nothingtodowithpeopletryingtoworkthecameras,it'sjustthesystem.Sothere's
alwaysgoingtobeproblemswithcameras,that'swhywetrytofindthebest,most
reliablecompanytocontractthrough.WatchdogandTaserseemtobethemostreliable
sofar.Personally,IpreferTaserbecausewehaveexperiencewiththem.Theyrealso
userfriendly.Officersaren'toftentechsavvy,sowhenallyouhavetodoispluginyour
cameraattheendofthedaywithanautomaticupload,it'sveryeasy.Andthennoone
hastoworryaboutmanagingthedatainthepolicedepartment.I'mnottechsavvyandI
can'timaginewhatkindofsystemwewouldneedtostoreallthatdata.Therewould
havetobepoliciestomandatehowlongtostorethatdata.Youneverknowwhenan
incidentcouldbebroughtupyearslater.

A&B:
How/when/whywouldvideofootagebereleased?

CCM:
Aftertheinvestigationisdone,dependingonthedepartment,thefootagewould
bereleased.Idon'tknowwhoandunderwhatcircumstancesitwouldbereleasedand
whenandwhy.I'veseendepartmentsreleasevideofootagewhileinvestigationisstill
going.Especiallynowbecauseofthewholepolicebrutalitytopicinthemedia.Some
departmentswanttoreleaseitassoonaspossiblejustsopeoplecanseewhatour
perspectivewas.Whetheritsgoingtohelpthesituationornot,Idon'tknow,but
ultimatelyit'suptothepolicedepartmentandwhattheyfeelisright.Therewouldbe
policiessetforeverything.Officersthemselveswouldn'tbemakingadecision,itwould
betheadministration.Alotofpeopleassumethatofficersaremakingthesedecisions.
Forexamplealotofpeoplethinkofficerscanusetheirphoneswhileonduty.Thisisa
misconception.Wehavestrictpoliciesinplacethatrestrictandallowcertainthings.If
weviolateourpolicieswecouldhaveseriousconsequences.Wecouldbewrittenup,
getsuspended,wecouldgetdaysoff,andsoforth.Thelawisonethingwehaveto
follow.Wealsohavetofollowourownrulesandregulationsthatarewrittenforusby
ourpolicythat'smanagedbyadministration.

Anotherthingisperspective.You'regoingtogetacompletelydifferentstoryfilming100
feetawaywithacivilian'sphonethanwithacameraonyourperson.Evenifhands
blockthevideooritfallsoffinpursuit,theaudiothereisstillextremelyvaluable.Even
withoutthevideo,bestcasescenario,youcanheartheofficer'scommands.Thisis
greatfortheofficerbecausethereisproofofthemgivingcommandsoverandover.
Therewasarecentincidentinwhichasubjectwasthrowingrocksatofficersin
Colorado.InJoeSchmoe'svideoversiontherearecarscuttingthrough,it'sbadquality,

19

Using Technology to Counter Police Mistrust: Good

20

itlookslikethesubjectgotshotrunningaway.Howgreatwoulditbetohavecameras
ontheofficershowingtheguychuckinggiantrocksattheofficers.

A&B:
Canyougiveusanexampleofatimewhereaboutacamerawouldbetheideal
thinginanoncampussituation?Saydrugsaresupposedlyinadormroom?

CCM:
Iwouldshowup,startrecording.IftheyaskIwouldtellthemIwasrecordingand
hopefullythatwouldcausetheirbehaviortostayincheck.Whenpeoplearebeing
recordedtheyactacertainway,evenofficers.Itworksbothways.Peopledochange.
Andtheycouldalwaysreviewthefootagelateriftheyhadanyquestions,watchitfor
themselves.Andthere'salwaysgoingtobepoliciesforthat.Justlikewithourcar
footage.Anofficercan'tjustpullupanotherofficer'svideo.Ithastobedonebya
supervisor.Therehastobeareasonforreview.

Officersnowadayshavetoassumetheyarebeingfilmedatalltimesanyway.They
havetoactprofessionalbecauseeveryphonehasacameranow.Thatshouldbethe
officersmentality.Ifwearealreadybeingrecordedbyeveryone,whydon'twestart
recording?That'smythinking.ImeanIcan'thavemyphoneoutwiththecamerawhile
oncall.

A&B:
Doanydepartmentsaroundalreadyhavebodycameras?

CCM:
Therearenobodycamerasaroundyet,buteveryonehasincarcameras,that's
donealready.

A&B:
Anyotherbenefitstocameras?

CCM:
Wellamajorbenefitisthatthefootagecanbeusedintraining.It'sanamazing
trainingtoolfornewofficers.Wecanpullthatfootageupandshowthemhowit
happened,whatwecould'vedonedifferently,whatwentwellandwhatwentwrong.You
gettoquiztraineeswiththerealfootageinsteadofhypothetical,arbitrarysituations.
Realfootageisahugehelpintraining.Officersmakemistakesallthetimeandweare
themostcriticalofourselves.There'salotofwaystodealwithanygivensituationand
havingavisualrepresentationofonewayithappenedisamazing.

endofinterview

20

Using Technology to Counter Police Mistrust: Good

21

Recommendationstopolicymakers

Wehavedeterminedthatitisethicalourrecommendationsfollow.

*FollowCurrentResearch
InformationisstillcomingoutofstudiessponsoredbytheNIJ.Werecommendthat
thesearemonitoredcloselyastheirresultswillcertainlyguidethepolicypertainingto
thissubject.
*PublicTool
Thisisatoolnotonlyforpoliceusebutfortheprotectionofthepublic,theAmerican
citizennomatterwhatsocialeconomicbackgroundorrace.Thepoliceshouldnothave
controlofwhetherornotthecameracanbeturnedonoroff.Thoughnoconcrete
evidencehasbeengeneratedtosupportordenygivingthepoliceofficerthatcontrol,
providingthemwiththatcontrolwouldcreateanofficerstoolnotapublictoolwhichitis
meanttobe.
*ViewCostProperly
Costisoneoftheargumentsopposerstothistechnologycontinuetobringup.We
recommendthatyouconsidertheimplicationsforthepublic.Ourcountry'sfounders
founditnecessarytocreatelawprotectingAmericansfromastandingarmy.Muchof
thepublicseestoday'smilitarizedforceassomethingclosetothat.Equipping
Americanswithcameraswhichwillobservepoliceforceactionsexpandsupontheideas
andlawsofourcountry'sfounding.Thiscostisnottobethoughtofaspoliceequipment
andtrainingthiscostistomaintainthebasicrightsofallAmericans.Werecommend
thatyouviewthecostinthiswaysoastoseewhatagreatdealsolittlecandoforour
country.
*TrainingofOfficers
Officersshouldbetrainedthoroughlyintheuseofthecamerassoastocapture
necessaryevidencewhileatthesametimebeingsensitivetovictimsandbystanders.If
apersonisinadequatelydressedorotherwiseoutofcharactercamerafocusshouldbe
alteredonceproperevidenceisgathered.
*AccesstoData
Maybethemostdifficultmatterisaccess.Thepolicyforpermittingaccesstothisvery
personalinformationshouldbehandledcarefully.Werecommendthatthepublicmust
haveaccesstothisinformationbutonlythroughcasebycaserequestwhichmust
clearlyjustifytheneedforthissensitiveinformation.Thefinaldeterminationofaccess
shouldbeclearedbyajudgeorproperlyadjudicatedofficial.

21

Using Technology to Counter Police Mistrust: Good

22

22