A series of high-profile incidences of abusive police officers in the mid-2010s triggered political pressure for police to use body cams, which are now standard equipment.
A 2014 pilot program in Orlando showed a 53% reduction in use-of-force incidents and a 65% drop in civilian complaints, but larger studies found mixed results.
The Bureau of Justice Statistics indicates that departments primarily deploy body cams to improve officer safety, increase evidence quality, and reduce agency liability.
While the public may perceive body cams as protective for civilians, they mainly benefit the officers wearing them and their respective organizations.
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