Can Police Body-Cams Lead to More Arrests?

Policy Matters

In the last five years, we’ve seen a proliferation of body cameras for police officers. They are seen by many as an important tool in ensuring accountability by discouraging misconduct – up to and including unjustified shooting of suspects – by police personnel. But could there be a negative side effect?

Specifically, could we see an increase in minor drug arrests among officers who feel compelled to act once a camera captures an interaction with an offender? What can be done, if anything, to limit the impact of body cams on increasing arrest rates?

This episode’s guest is Dr. Katharine Neill Harris. She is the Alfred C. Glassell, III, Fellow in Drug Policy at the Baker Institute.