Working Paper: CEPR ID: DP16578
Authors: Thiemo Fetzer; Pedro CL Souza; Daniel Barbosa; Caterina Vieira
Abstract: We provide experimental evidence that monitoring of the police activity through body-worn cameras reduces use-of-force, handcuffs and arrests, and enhances criminal reporting. Stronger treatment effects occur on events classified ex-ante of low seriousness. Monitoring effects are moderated by officer rank, which is consistent with a career concern motive by junior officers. Overall, results show that the use of body-worn cameras de-escalates conflicts.
Keywords: Police; Citizen Interaction; Use of Force; Technology; Field Experiment
JEL Codes: C93; D73; D74
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| Body-Worn Cameras (BWC) (Y50) | Reduced likelihood of police use of force (J45) |
| Body-Worn Cameras (BWC) (Y50) | Enhanced reporting accuracy (Y10) |
| Body-Worn Cameras (BWC) (Y50) | Reduced likelihood of police use of force in low-risk situations (K40) |
| Junior officers wearing Body-Worn Cameras (BWC) (Y50) | Stronger deescalation effects (C92) |