To Adopt or Not to Adopt: Contextualizing Police Body-Worn Cameras Through Structural Contingency and Institutional Theoretical Perspectives

• Date: 01 September 2019
• DOI: 10.1177/0734016819847267
• Author: Justin J. Smith
• Published date: 01 September 2019
• Subject Matter: Articles

Article

To Adopt or Not to Adopt:

Contextualizing Police

Body-Worn Cameras

Through Structural

Contingency and Institutional

Theoretical Perspectives

Justin J. Smith

1

Abstract

There has been an increase in the adoption of body-worn cameras (BWCs) by law enforcement

agencies in the United States and abroad. While several studies have showed promising results in

officer satisfaction, community satisfaction, and other outcomes, the rationale for the adoption and

diffusion of this technology has received little attention.This article suggests that agency adoption of

BWCs can be understood through two competing theoretical frameworks: structural contingency

theory and institutional theory. Intended as a research note, the paper sets up a number of testable

propositions and hypotheses pertaining to BWCs as contextualized through these theories and

measurable through the recent Law Enforcement Management Administrative Statistics-Body-

Worn Camera Supplement.

Keywords

police body-worn cameras, adoption, diffusion, structural contingency theory, institutional theory

Over the last few years, police agencies worldwide have adopted body-worn cameras (BWCs) at a

rapid pace (Bud, 2016; Coudert, Butin, & Le Me´tayer, 2015; Lum, Koper, Merola, Scherer, &

Reioux, 2015; Miller, Toliver, & Police Executive Research Forum, 2014; White, 2014). BWC

technology enables real time audio and video recording of activities from the police officer’s

perspective. The recorded footage can be stored and retrieved at a later date (Coudert et al.,

2015; White, 2014).

1

Department of Criminal Justice, College of Community Innovation and Education, University of Central Florida, Orlando,

FL, USA

Corresponding Author:

Justin J. Smith, Department of Criminal Justice, College of Community Innovation and Education, University of Central

Florida, 12805 Pegasus Drive, Bldg. 80, Suite 311, Orlando, FL 32816-1600, USA.

Email: justin.smith@ucf.edu

Criminal Justice Review

2019, Vol. 44(3) 369-385

ª2019 Georgia State University

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DOI: 10.1177/0734016819847267

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Proponents of BWCs tout several benefits. Cameras are hypothesized to have a “civilizing effect”

(White, 2014, p. 6) on police and citizens, calming both parties and leading to amicable interactions

and decreased resistance in coercive situations. Decreased resistance and less use of force reduces

officer and citizen injuries and the likelihood of complaints (Ariel, Farrar, & Sutherland, 2015; Ariel

et al., 2016a, 2016b; Coudert et al., 2015; Ellis, Jenkins, & Smith, 2015; Grossmith et al., 2015;

Jennings, Fridell, & Lynch, 2014; Jennings, Lynch, & Fridell, 2015; Katz, Choate, Ready, & Nunˇo,

2014; Miller et al., 2014). BWCs also provide a means of holding officers accountable for their

words and actions, and ensuring compliance with legal search, seizure, and evidence collection

procedures (Harris, 2010), concerns that marginalized groups of citizens and Civil Rights groups,

such as the America Civil Liberties Union, may appreciate (Ariel et al., 2016a; Bud, 2016; Coudert

et al., 2015; Ellis et al., 2015; Grossmith et al., 2015; Miller et al., 2014; Scheindlin & Manning,

2015; Taylor, 2016). Such outcomes have the potential to positively impact community perceptions

of the police organization as a whole (Ariel, 2016; Coudert et al., 2015; Ellis et al., 2015; Grossmith

et al., 2015; Miller et al., 2014). Improved community perceptions may lead to more citizen

reporting of and assistance in solving crimes (Ariel, 2016).

BWCs have additional benefits. Some scholars suggest BWCs may increase officer productivity

and efficiency (Ready & Young, 2015) and improve evidence collection by providing on the spot

recording of victim, suspect, and witness statements, among other aspects of crime scenes (Bud,

2016; Coudert et al., 2015; Ellis et al., 2015; Jennings et al., 2015; Katz et al., 2014; Miller et al.,

2014; Victoria Police Department, 2010). The use of BWC recordings of police actions for training

purposes has also been proposed (Coudert et al., 2015; Grossmith et al., 2015; Miller et al., 2014).

Further, some studies have found that officers have been supportive of the technology in protecting

them from injury and unfounded citizen complaints (Jennings et al., 2014, 2015; Katz et al., 2014;

Victoria Police Department, 2010).

Conversely, critics have pointed to drawbacks of the technology, including privacy concerns

surrounding the recording of victim statements and the interior of people’s homes, as well as the

recording of police officer downtime (Bud, 2016; Coudert et al., 2015; Miller et al., 2014; Taylor,

2016). Critics have also pointed to substantial start-up costs associated with purchasing and main-

taining equipment, training officers, and developing new standard operating procedures regarding

BWC usage and control of footage (Bud, 2016; Coudert et al., 2015; Miller et al., 2014; Taylor,

2016; Timan, 2016). Moreover, some police administrators have expressed concern that officers will

be reluctant to use force when necessary or that the media will utilize footage from BW Cs to

embarrass and undermine officers (Smykla, Crow, Crichlow, & Snyder, 2016). One study conducted

by Ariel and colleagues (2016b) revealed a potential negative consequence of BWC use. Officers in

their sample equipped with cameras were assaulted more frequently than those without cameras.

Despite criticism, it is anticipated law enforcement agencies will continue to invest in BWC

technology (Bud, 2016; Coudert et al., 2015; Lum et al., 2015; Miller et al., 2014). In 2014, President

Obama oversaw the creation of the President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing and the

recommendation that the Justice Department provides US$75 million in funding for police agencies

to purchase BWCs (Office of the White House Press Secretary, 2015; President’s Task Force on 21st

Century Policing, 2015). Such funding opportunities have continued under the Trump administra-

tion. This push is interesting, as some scholars contend it is too early to know if BWCs will have the

desired impacts with respect to improving police performance (Bud, 2016; Lum et al., 2015).

Commentators have warned that encouraging agencies to equip their officers with BWCs is merely

a false panacea, a technical fix to more serious underlying social problems (Ariel, 2016; Coudert

et al., 2015).

Given the newness of BWCs, it is questionable why so many agencies are investing in it. The

rationale for BWC adoption has remained underexplored with most studies focusing on the effects of

the implementation of BWCs. Two studies have examined adoption decision-making and the

370 Criminal Justice Review 44(3)