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47 www.officer.com March 2014 Law Enforcement Technology TA L K I N G P O I N T S entire population of front-line officers participated in the study using control and monitored shifts. The study was conducted between February 12, 2012 and February 12, 2013. In the three calendar years preceding the study, the Rialto Police Department experienced an average of 65 use-of- force incidents and 38 citizen com- plaints per year. During the 12-month period of the study, Rialto police offi- cers utilized force only 25 times, and only three citizens' complaints were filed. Further, of the 25 use-of-force incidents, 17 occurred during control shifts when officers were not utilizing the cameras. While no data was col- lected, the study hypothesized that the presence of the cameras, and aware- ness of being videotaped, modified the behavior of those who interacted with police. It is likely this contributed to the significant reduction in use-of-force incidents during the 12-month period. This data is consistent with the study conducted by the IACP and COPS, in which 51 percent of people surveyed would change their behavior if they knew they were being videotaped. Major cities across America includ- ing, Baltimore, Dallas, Albuquerque, Fort Worth, Oakland and Houston, have begun experimenting with body-worn cameras on their officers as they come to understand the evolution and benefits of such equipment, and recognize that body-worn cameras can benefit the 90 percent of police interactions that do not take place in front of cameras. While some LEOs may raise the same concerns over body-worn cameras as that of dash cams (i.e., the cameras are there to catch them doing wrong or to watch their every move), the truth is that LEOs are already being video- taped. Everyone has seen videos, often captured on cell phones, depicting what appears to be egregious conduct on the part of patrol officers. Typically, these videos do not capture the entire inci- dent, and oftentimes they only catch the 30-second climax of a prolonged interaction with an individual or group. These videos are posted to the Internet, broadcast on the news, and ultimately form public opinion regarding an incident, a particular agency and law enforcement in general. With dash and body-warn cameras, officers can simultaneously protect themselves from criminal or civil liabil- ity and help improve the public percep- tion of law enforcement. ■ Circle 32 on Reader Service Card Circle 31 on Reader Service Card To learn more, visit your local Smith & Warren dealer or visit www.SmithWarren.com Badges Insignia Medals Awards Collar Insignia Nameplates Challenge Coins Pins Accessories Contact@SmithWarren.com Ph: 914.948.4619 Fax: 914.948.1627 Design your badge online /smithandwarren @SmithnWarren YOU EARNED IT Fast Reliable Delivery Every style, Every finish LET_45-47_TalkingPoints0314.indd 47 2/24/14 10:54 AM