The use of body worn cameras (BWC) among law enforcement agencies is growing rapidly. Law enforcement agencies are using BWCs for a variety of reasons, including improving evidence collection, evaluating and strengthening officer performance and accountability, enhancing transparency, documenting police-public encounters, and investigating and resolving complaints. However, it is important to note that the deployment of BWC systems is in its infancy and much remains unknown about their operational and total cost of ownership impacts. BWCs present important privacy concerns. Citizens may be less willing to provide information to law enforcement when the officer is recording the interaction. The potential for body-worn cameras to be coupled with other technologies, such as facial recognition software, may present additional concerns for citizen privacy.
