Impacts of BWCs on Citizen Perceptions: Directory of Outcomes

The directory of studies examining citizen perceptions of BWCs is available below. If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Michael White (mdwhite1@asu.edu), Dr. Janne Gaub (jgaub@uncc.edu), or the BWC Training and Technical Assistance team (bwctta@cna.org).

Citizen Perception Directory

Summary of the Citizen Perceptions Directory (February 5, 2024)

Introduction

There are 34 entries in the directory divided into three categories: general population studies (n=18), studies of citizens who interacted with police (n=9), and studies of other stakeholders (prosecutors, judges, etc.; n=7). We capture perceptions across different topics including general attitudes, evidentiary value, citizen impacts, and officer impacts. Specific outcomes were not examined in every study. Studies used a mix of methods including in-person, online, and phone surveys, as well as in-person interviews and focus groups. Below are the key themes from each category of studies.

General Population

1. Citizens are highly supportive of police BWCs generally (13 of 16 studies).
2. Citizens believe BWCs have evidentiary value (4 of 4 studies).
3. Citizens believe BWCs will reduce complaints against officers (4 of 4 studies), reduce use of force by police (3 of 3 studies), and improve citizen cooperation (2 of 2 studies).
4. Eight studies asked citizens about privacy. None of the 8 documented significant concerns about citizen privacy, though three studies reported mixed views.
5. Citizens generally believe BWCs will improve police-community relations (3 of 5 studies).

Citizens Encountering Police

1. Citizens who encountered police are highly supportive of BWCs generally (7 of 8 studies).
2. Citizens who encountered police believe BWCs have evidentiary value (2 of 2 studies).
3. Citizens who encountered police believe BWCs will reduce complaints against officers (3 of 3 studies), increase citizen cooperation (3 of 3 studies), and reduce citizen resistance (3 of 3 studies).
4. 2 studies asked citizens who encountered police about privacy. Neither documented significant concerns about citizen privacy.
5. Citizens who encountered police believe BWCs will improve police-community relations (2 of 2 studies).

Other Stakeholders

1. Other stakeholders are highly supportive of BWCs generally (5 of 6 studies).
2. Other stakeholders believe BWCs have evidentiary value (5 of 6 studies), though they are more mixed about the positive impact of BWCs on court outcomes (3 of 5 studies).
3. Other stakeholders are mixed on whether BWCs will reduce complaints against officers (1 of 2 studies).
4. Other stakeholders are mixed on whether BWC will impinge on citizen privacy (1 of 2 studies).