Persuasive Essay on Why Body Cameras are Necessary for all Police

On February 14th a 30-year-old man was shot by Clark Counties Sheriff Deputies. Nobody had any evidence about why he was shot and all the evidence that was found was suspicious. Think about all of the police-involved shootings or crimes there have been in the last year. Yes, there are cons towards police body cameras that claim the cameras distort real-life and invade privacy, but the pros definitely outway the cons. With body cameras, all evidence of police-related crimes would be clear. Cameras would help officers to be more careful with their actions knowing they are always on a recording. 

Body cameras are necessary to ensure the safety of the citizens and the officers. According to the article "Body Cameras Would Improve Policing, Justice" only five states require body cameras for police officers such as South Carolina, Connecticut, Nevada, California, and Florida. The author argues that body cameras are just necessary for the bare safety of everyone and should be required in every state, "Body cameras are necessary to ensure the safety of both citizens and police. They ensure that officers will be less likely to abuse power in situations when dealing with criminals or other encounters with the public." Some might argue that privacy issues are involved but above all that body camera on police officers is necessary. According to an article published in the Washington Post, 18 Jan 2021 titled "Federal Police Officers Need Body Cameras" an unarmed motorist Bijan Ghasier was shot to death in 2017 by two Park Police Officers who were not wearing cameras.  After Bijan Ghasier was shot to death legislation was introduced by Rep. Don Beyer and Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton in 2018 that would require all federal uniformed police officers to wear cameras. The legislation passed in the House last summer but unfortunately is still stalling in the Senate

Furthermore, body cameras can help reduce the amount of racial profiling and discrimination. It can help settle accusations of racial bias and harassment against police officers. According to the article titled “Police Body Cameras Called ‘Powerful Tool” officers who wore the devices reported almost 40 percent more stops than officers who did not. This suggests that body cameras force officers to provide a more accurate accounting of their pedestrian stops. Police body cameras help police to be more honest, "a powerful tool for increasing transparency and accountability for officers, the public and for police officials.” A thirteen-year-old named Adam Toledo who although compiled was shot and killed by a police officer. The officer was identified as 34-year-old Eric Stillman in a police report. According to the article “Chicago releases video of Boys Death” more than three weeks after the shooting, video footage was released from the incident. Due to the fact that the officer was wearing a body camera, investigators were able to see that Adam complied with the officer and that Eric was guilty. The video was claimed to be "extremely difficult and heartbreaking" to watch. The family asked that "Adam's memory can best be honored by refraining from violence and working constructively for reform."The Body camera Stillman was wearing provided clear evidence that Adam Toledo did nothing wrong and that Stillman was guilty. 

Although, it could be argued that police officers should not have body cameras because they distort real life and could potentially become a privacy issue for some citizens. A 32-year-old man, Mr. Timpa pleaded for his life just seconds before he was shot and loaded into an ambulance by police officers. The cameras make it seem that the victim was not complying with the officers when really he was. The article, however, states that it's not an accurate story because you can only see it from the police officers’ point of view. The article claims “technological solutions to human problems often have alarming side effects that aren't fully understood until the technology is in wide use”. 

In conclusion, There have been many police-involved shootings or crimes in the last year.  With body cameras, all evidence of police-related crimes would be clear. Cameras would help officers to be more careful with their actions knowing they are always on a recording.