How Police Undermined the Promise of Body Cameras

in terms of checks and balances (or the lack there-of), this outcome is not surprising. however, this article shies away from a more interesting discussion about body cameras being a band-aid solution to a much deeper and more complex problem.

the fact that police are called to deal with mental instability, drugs, traffic, domestic disputes, and a myriad of other issues is a symptom that perhaps we ask the police to do too much but with so little resources and so few tools (guns, tasers and a body camera...)

on the otherhand, this is the reality we live in and i understand the advocacy for transparency and accountability due to the power imbalances at play.

ProPublica's investigation reveals how police departments across the US have actively worked against the intended purpose of body cameras. Despite the hope that body camera footage would increase transparency and accountability, departments have implemented policies and practices that limit public access to the videos. These include restrictive policies on release, lengthy delays, and the use of technical barriers and legal loopholes to prevent the release of footage, even in cases of alleged misconduct. The investigation highlights the systemic failures that undermine the promise of body cameras and demonstrates the ongoing struggle for police accountability.