Effects of officer perception of race and racial tensions on support for body-worn-cameras

Abstract

While the U.S. criminal justice system has a long history of racial injustice, the use of body-worn-cameras (BWCs) has changed the discourse on racial bias and police accountability. To date, the growing research on BWCs has yet to address the racial tensions that underly contentious interactions between police and citizenry. Using survey and interview data this research evaluates: (1) whether officer race influences perceptions of race/racism and support for BWCs; (2) whether officer perceptions of race/racism influence support for BWCs; (3) how officers perceive racial conflict within their communities; and (4) how these perceptions shape their views of the efficacy of BWCs as a means to reduce racial conflict. By tackling these important questions, this research provides the necessary context to enrich our exploration of the implications of BWCs within the broader discourse and research on race relations in policing.

Keywords:

• Body-worn cameras
• policing
• racial bias
• police accountability
• surveillance

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the leadership and patrol officers at Richmond County Sherriff’s Office. Without your support and guidance our research would not have been possible.

Notes

1 Given the desire for anonymity, it is unknown whether the interviewees also completed the online survey.

2 The effects of the percentage of arrests that are African American in an officer’s zone was included as a control measure but yielded no significant differences in the findings. Its inclusion reduced the sample sized considerably and was removed from analysis.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Melissa Powell-Williams

Melissa Powell-Williams is a Professor in the Department of Sociology, Criminal Justice and Social Work at Augusta University.  Dr. Powell-Williams' primary interest includes identity work in the areas of policing, social movements, subcultures, and organizations. She has published in the areas of policing, domestic violence victim advocacy, the #MeToo movement, Deaf Culture Movement, and support for marriage equality.

Todd Powell-Williams

Todd Powell-Williams is an Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology, Criminal Justice, and Social Work at Augusta University. Dr. Powell-Williams’ scholarly interests include policing, gun violence, social movements and the social control of mobilization.

H. David Hunt

H. David Hunt is an Associate Professor in the Department of Social Sciences at Augusta University. In addition to social effects of body worn cameras, his research interests include the relationship between sport and education, online/distance education, and the social science of golf.