Accountability at its Finest: Law Enforcement Agencies and Body-Worn Cameras. Issue 4 (4th July 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wright, James E.; Houston, Brittany
• Is Part Of: Public performance & management review. Volume 44:Issue 4(2021)
• Page Start: 735
• Page End: 757
• Publication Date: 2021-07-04
• Subjects: Accountability -- body worn cameras -- crime -- policy; Civil service -- Labor productivity -- Periodicals; Civil service -- Labor productivity -- United States -- Periodicals; Government productivity -- Periodicals; Government productivity -- United States -- Periodicals; Public administration -- Periodicals; Public administration -- United States -- Periodicals; Civil service -- Labor productivity; Government productivity; Public administration; United States; Periodicals; 351.05
• DOI: 10.1080/15309576.2021.1916545
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1530-9576

Abstract

Abstract: Policy makers and police departments have suggested the implementation of body-worn cameras (BWC) to increase officer accountability. BWC may be a contributing factor in altering police officers' behavior, beyond use of force statistics and citizen complaints. Its impact on reported property crimes and violent crimes is yet to be explored. To examine this topic more meticulously, the authors estimate a difference-in-difference estimation on the effect of the adoption of BWC technology on reported property and violent crime in Washington D.C. This study finds that BWC implementation leads to a 9% reduction in reported property crimes but no effect for reported violent crimes. These results lend important application for accountability literature, policymakers and legislators, including the impact of policy tools on bureaucratic decision making and the development of new accountability standards that include BWC.