1. Police Officers Perceptions of Body-Worn Cameras: Comparison of Buffalo and Rochester Police Departments Joseph A. Gramaglia, MPA Project Proposal - Dr. Scott Phillips (Project Advisor) Design This is an exploratory sequential mixed methods study. Phase 1 – qualitative – consists of participatory-observer field notes as a member of BPD’s ad hoc group on BWCs. The qualitative phase will inform the knowledge needed for Phase 2 – quantitative – consisting of a web-administered (Qualtrics Platform) questionnaire. Survey questions will be developed to assess views towards the implementation of body worn cameras and the departmental policies adopted. Sampling I will distribute the URL for survey access to every sworn member of each department (the entire population). The completed surveys will be checked in terms of demographics – rank, type of area patrolled (high or low crime), amount of years on the force, education, age, etc. – to ascertain whether a representative sample has been obtained. Recent issues with police officers use of force have put body-worn cameras (BWC) on the forefront. This has the Federal Government as well as the public looking for ways to outfit more officers with the BWC as a way to protect everyone involved. Getting officers to buy into new technology and gaining their cooperation for a smooth transition could prove difficult, especially with different generations. I have seen, in the past, where new technology has been employed that changes the way Buffalo Police Officers do their jobs that were met with great resistance. An example of this resistance was with the adoption of “in car reporting” where officers were required to input their crime reports directly into the car computer as opposed to bringing the hand written reports to the station for the clerical staff to input. Some may think that all police officers would be against this new technology but in my own experience, this may not be the case: there are a good portion that welcome the protection that BWC provide. I would like to compare the attitudes of the Buffalo Police Department (BPD) and the Rochester Police Department (RPD) with respect to similarities and differences. It seems reasonable to compare these two departments due to their close proximity to one another, their similar size, as well as a similar crime rate. Both agencies are made up of over 700 sworn officers, detectives and supervisors and share the same types of violent crime numbers. The idea is to implement new technology, however popular or unpopular, in the most seamless manner possible. Reducing confusion will aid in the acceptance. Methodology Introduction/ Purpose Statement Several studies have shown that the implementation of BWC have reduced complaints against officers and have also reduced the amount of use of force in arrests by officers. Chief William Farrar of the Rialto Police Department who pioneered a study of BWC used by his department showed that use of force complaints dropped 59% and citizen complaints dropped by 87.5%. His randomized control trial also found that for every $1 spent on the cameras, there was a $4 savings. Some of the concerns for police officers lie with their failure to follow the policies set forth for activation of BWC and if they are not activated, what discipline they may face. There have been several instances where officers did not turn on their BWC during fatal encounters and were terminated as a result. One such officer won his job back by court intervention due to the lack of training on the equipment. Officers have also expressed safety concerns in tactical situations where they may not be able to get to activate the camera and what consequences they may face. (BWC put new pressure on police) The Orlando Police Department pioneered an attitudinal study, finding police officers liked the cameras and wanted to see them fully implemented. Officers generally felt that BWC protected the officers and improved the attitudes and actions of both officers and citizens alike. (Officer perception study, 2014) A survey of 785 Federal, State and Local officers revealed that 80% of them are in favor of BWC’s because they feel that they will protect them from false complaints. Nevertheless, only 20% of their departments have instituted the cameras. References -Taser International, A review of the camera and equipment -DOJ National Tool Kit for starting a BWC program 2015 -The Effect of Police Body-Worn Cameras on Use of Force and Citizens’ Complaints Against the Police: A Randomized Controlled Trial Ariel, Farrar and Southerland 2014 -BWC put new pressure on police Zusha Elinson 2014 -Cops and cameras: Officer perceptions of the use of body-worn cameras in law enforcement Jennings, Fridell and Lynch 2014 -Survey- Police want BWC Wiley 2012 Several instances in the recent past where people have died at the hands of police due to use of force has called for more video, specifically police worn body cameras. The cameras are small devices that hook onto an officers uniform or exterior vest and capture an officers actions while interacting with the public. There are several vendors including Taser International. Literature Review