Policy Research

Police, Camera, Evidence: Londons Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial of Body Worn Video

Lynne Grossmith, Catherine Owens, Will Finn, David Mann, Tom Davies, Laura Baika

Summary

This randomized experiment tests the effects of police use of body-worn video cameras. Police officers in London, England were random assigned to a treatment group that wore body cameras, and a control group that did not. The group of officers assigned to wear body cameras received less allegations against them, as well as a lower prevalence of complaints related to their interactions with the public.

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Policy Implications

These results suggest that body-worn cameras may have the intended consequences of reducing complaints against officers. While one mechanism is that by holding officers accountable, they are more likely to act in accordance with the law, the cameras additionally go a long way in reducing unfounded and false claims against officers.