Published by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), this report discusses several studies and data collected on body-worn cameras in this country. Body-worn cameras are widely used by state and local law enforcement agencies in the United States. They are worn principally by officers in the performance of duties which require open and direct contact with the public. Despite their widespread and growing adoption, the current evidence regarding the effectiveness of body-worn cameras is mixed. Some studies suggest that body-worn cameras may offer benefits, while others show either no impact or possible negative effects. The mixed results of these studies strongly imply that additional research is needed – in particular, more studies employing randomized control trials.
The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) also tracks research on BWCs, including randomized control trials and other research related to program outcomes.
A full copy of the report can be read at https://tinyurl.com/yckusnvd