In Last Week’s Individual Project, You Selected One Of The T

In Last Weeks Individual Project You Selected 1 Of The 2 Topics That

In last week's Individual Project, you selected one of two topics that are considered critical issues within the modern criminal justice system, focusing on areas such as law enforcement, corrections, or the court system. The assignment involves conducting a literature review on a second topic related to your initial choice, exploring its significance, associated issues, problems, or policies, and proposing evidence-based changes supported by scholarly sources. The goal is to prepare a comprehensive analysis that will contribute to your final capstone project, emphasizing thorough research, articulation of ideas, and proper APA citation.

Paper For Above instruction

The chosen second topic for my research is the issue of police use of body-worn cameras and their impact on accountability and transparency in law enforcement. This topic was selected due to its increasing prominence in public discourse and policy reforms aimed at enhancing police accountability. The decision was driven by my interest in exploring technological innovations within policing and their potential to address concerns about misconduct and excessive use of force. Additionally, the growing body of literature examining the effectiveness of body cameras in mitigating complaints against officers and improving public trust provided a substantive foundation for this literature review.

In terms of the selection process, I reviewed recent scholarly articles, policy reports, and empirical studies that assessed both the benefits and limitations of body-worn cameras. My focus was on peer-reviewed sources that provided rigorous analysis of how this technology affects police behavior, citizen interactions, and legal considerations. I prioritized sources that offered both quantitative data and qualitative insights from law enforcement agencies and communities, enabling a multidimensional understanding of the topic.

The literature reveals that body-worn cameras (BWCs) are increasingly viewed as a vital tool in promoting accountability and transparency in law enforcement practices. According to White (2014), BWCs have the potential to serve as objective evidence in legal proceedings, thereby reducing instances of false accusations and unsubstantiated complaints. Moreover, research by Walker et al. (2018) indicates that the presence of BWCs can influence police officers’ behavior, encouraging more professional conduct during citizen encounters. However, these sources also acknowledge challenges, including issues of privacy, data management, and costs associated with implementation and maintenance (Ariel, Farrar, & Sutherland, 2015).

Other scholarly works, such as Jennings et al. (2019), highlight mixed results regarding the impact of BWCs on reducing use of force or complaints. They suggest that the effectiveness of BWCs is highly dependent on departmental policies, officer training, and community engagement. As a result, the literature underscores the importance of comprehensive policy frameworks that address data access, storage protocols, and ethical considerations (Lum, Stoltz, Kopac, & Johnson, 2019).

Based on this review, I propose several policy changes. First, mandatory use of BWCs during all interactions that could potentially escalate, such as stops, searches, and arrests, should be enacted to maximize transparency. Second, establishing clear guidelines for data access and retention, with strict oversight, will help protect privacy rights and prevent misuse of recordings. Third, investing in officer training programs that emphasize ethical use and community-oriented policing will enhance the technology’s effectiveness. These measures are supported by peer-reviewed studies suggesting that clear policies and proper training are critical to realizing the full benefits of BWCs (Ariel, Sutherland, Henstock, & Young, 2019).

Implementing these targeted policy reforms would serve to improve accountability, reduce misconduct, and strengthen public trust in law enforcement agencies. The literature affirms that technological tools like BWCs are most effective when integrated into a broader cultural commitment to transparency, ethical conduct, and community partnership. Continued research and evaluation will be essential to refining these policies and ensuring they adapt to evolving societal and technological landscapes.

References

• Ariel, B., Farrar, W. A., & Sutherland, A. (2015). The effect of police body-worn cameras on use of force and perceptions of accountability. Journal of Quantitative Criminology, 31(3), 509-535.
• Ariel, B., Sutherland, A., Henstock, D., & Young, J. (2019). Evidence on the effect of police body-worn cameras on police and citizen behavior. Criminology & Public Policy, 18(1), 133-159.
• Jennings, W. G., Lynch, S. M., Jackson, W., & Fridell, L. (2019). Civilian perceptions of police body-worn cameras: Exploring differences by neighborhood racial composition. Journal of Experimental Criminology, 15, 213–233.
• Lum, C., Stoltz, M., Kopac, J., & Johnson, R. (2019). Police use of body-worn cameras: A systematic review. Policing: A Journal of Policy and Practice, 13(4), 399-415.
• Walker, S., White, M., & Braga, A. (2018). The Impact of Body-Worn Cameras on Police-Community Interactions. Journal of Law, Crime and Society, 37(1), 43-61.