Body Cameras In Law Enforcement

The Benefits of Body Cameras in Law Enforcement
How can Body Cameras help Law Enforcement? Dashboard cameras have become an antiquated tool for police officers. According to the Los Angeles Times, “Critics claim that watching the video will alter the officer's memory of the incident. But this isn't necessarily a bad thing”. The human memory of complex and highly charged events is invariably incomplete. Police officers cannot be expected to encode and retain every one of the countless details that make up a use-of-force incident” (Simon). This will provide officers help to get the facts needed for the case. Therefore, there will be more hard evidence that can also be used in court. In addition, “Human memory is also susceptible to a

Witness claim that the deputies are abusing their powers against the public.According to World Book Student “ Police brutality generally takes one of two forms: excessive force or unnecessary force. Excessive force involves using more force than necessary to control a suspect. Unnecessary force can take many forms, including using force when a subject did not resist arrest; using force when a subject could be easily controlled in other ways; using force against a handcuffed suspect, or continuing to use force after a subject has been subdued”. Because there are two different forms of brutality the deputies can be charged with both if found guilty. “Officers begin by attempting to control a situation by their professional manner. If unsuccessful, they will move to verbal commands. If a person actively resists, officers will next use such techniques as come-along holds and wrist locks. A come-along hold controls an unrestrained or unwilling offender's movements without injuring him or her by putting pressure on a sensitive part of the body, causing discomfort”. Officers are allowed to use the force if they are feeling that certain people’s action is offending the officers. Officers are also permitted to use force in certain situations. “ If confronted by assaultive or aggressive behavior, officers will move to such non-lethal physical force techniques as strikes or takedowns(forcing someone to fall), or to using pepper spray or Taser guns. A Taser is a weapon that shoots out long wires, stunning a target with an electric current. Finally, if threatened with serious bodily harm, police officers can use deadly force to protect themselves and others. Police, however, are not required to follow the use-of-force continuums in a set order.” The police officer may apply whatever amount of force is required by the circumstances of the confrontation”. If officers feel like they are being