Introduction
There have been multiple examples of police-civilian encounters gone undesirable. The Michael Brown shooting is one of the most well-known examples. The shooting of an unarmed 18-year-old black man ignited nationwide demonstrations and rioting (AP NEWS, 2019, para. 2). It is now time for us to act and mandate that all law enforcement officers wear body cameras. In this speech, I will first examine the issues that develop due to the lack of a video record, a lack of accountability, and the help of body cameras. However, before delving into why cameras are so vital, let us consider the issues that occur when cameras are absent.
The Significance of Video Evidence
In police-civilian contacts, a lack of video footage can have severe consequences. Firstly, it undermines witness credibility, making it impossible to discern the events. Second, it allows for unchecked police brutality because there are no means to hold police responsible. Finally, it precludes incident analysis, which means there is no ability to learn from previous mistakes. These issues underscore the need to mandate that law enforcement officers wear body cameras. Now that we have identified the problems, let us look at some of the root reasons.
Resistance to Wearing Body Cameras
One of the primary reasons that law enforcement officers do not use body cameras is opposition from groups such as police unions and the government. Police unions frequently complain that body cameras violate officers’ privacy. On the other side, some government agencies think that body cams are prohibitively expensive. Despite this opposition, some steps may be taken to mitigate the situation.
Solutions at Different Levels
There are federal, local, and personal options available to alleviate the opposition to wearing body cameras. Federal legislation can be enacted to require law enforcement officers. Local police agencies can be pushed to implement a body camera policy and offer cash for camera purchases. Citizens may push for the usage of body cameras and demand responsibility. Collaborating at all levels may build a safer and more just society. As you can recognize, installing body cameras is essential.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the absence of video footage in police-citizen encounters can have significant ramifications. The opposition to wearing body cameras is strong, but there are answers at the federal, municipal, and personal levels. To guarantee openness and accountability, law enforcement officers should be obliged to wear body cameras. The scenario of how body camera technology may have avoided demonstrations and bad blood underscores the significance of forcing law enforcement employees to wear body cameras.
Reference
AP NEWS. (2019). Timeline of events in shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson. Web.