The national conversation over police use of force sparked by the deaths of unarmed suspects in Ferguson and New York City has been marked by unrest and divisive politics. But in the midst of this polarized debate, there is one change that nearly everyone agrees on: the need for more body cameras worn by police officers. Before the new technology is widely adopted though, questions of privacy, effectiveness, and cost will have to be addressed.
GUESTS:
- Devon Chaffee - executive director for the American Civil Liberties Union of New Hampshire.
- David M. Hilts - Legal Counsel at the New Hampshire Department of Safety.
- Justin Ready - assistant professor of criminology and criminal justice at Arizona State University
CALLOUT:
- Richard Krauss – chief of police in Milton, New Hampshire. Milton has body cameras already for its police force.
SHOW HIGHLIGHTS:
In a climate where many worry that police is becoming too militarized, body cameras risk adding to that effect - http://t.co/RMn1A3eaxi
— The Exchange (@NHPRExchange) February 18, 2015
Officers can be reluctant to embrace body cameras: in one survey, 30% favored the practice - Prof Jason Ready, @ASU. http://t.co/RMn1A3eaxi
— The Exchange (@NHPRExchange) February 18, 2015
A way to protect citizens recorded by body cameras is to delete footage shortly after (weeks not years) - @aclu_nh. http://t.co/RMn1A3eaxi
— The Exchange (@NHPRExchange) February 18, 2015
CALLER: police body camera videos help both sides; they bring the officer's and defendant's stories closer together. http://t.co/RMn1A3eaxi
— The Exchange (@NHPRExchange) February 18, 2015
.@aclu_nh: Use of police body cameras must include rules to protect recorded individuals, prevent manip. by officers http://t.co/RMn1A3eaxi
— The Exchange (@NHPRExchange) February 18, 2015