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@ISIDEWITHQuestionsCriminal IssuesStarted 10yrs agoActive 3 days ago1 here now

Should police officers be required to wear body cameras?

In 2021 the U.S. Justice Department announced that federal agents would be required to wear body cameras when executing arrest warrants or searching buildings. A 2022 Bureau of Justice Statistics report found that 80% of local police departments in the US used body cameras. The study found that departments that used body cameras showed improvement in officer safety, increased evidence quality and reduced civilian complaints.

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2.1k Replies

 @9J3CNTLRepublican  from Alabama  answered…10mos10MO

Yes, however it needs to be a device of high quality, always turned on at least when they're in the field or interacting with an individual, and it needs to be used properly. In other words, they can't turn it off when in the field/interacting with someone, they can't turn it away from the person so it can't record the situation, and the officer cannot make it so the camera can't pick up any audio.

 @9LCTV8DLibertarian from Ohio  answered…2yrs2Y

yes to hold them accountable but it is important to know that body cameras dont tell everything. they don't tell things from the officers perception and what happen in real lfie and the on thr go splict second decisions which officers have to make.

 @9FCB642Libertarian from New Jersey  answered…3yrs3Y

No, because this is at the discretion of the private companies and officers

 @9DPHJ28Libertarian from Oregon  answered…3yrs3Y

Yes, and make it a crime to turn them off or block the lense while on duty

 @9ZRSSZZRepublican from Arizona  answered…1yr1Y

Police should carry body cameras, but they should be turned on only when engaging in arrests/high risk situations(I.E. shootings and evidence collection.) Officers should be trained in the use of body cameras, and should be paired with other officers when out on patrol.

 @9X3F8TSRepublican from Florida  answered…2yrs2Y

Body cameras do not always show the total context of the situation and can lead to misunderstanding a situation.

 @some_dudeXDRepublican from Florida  answered…2yrs2Y

Yes, it will ensure that the officers can be more easily held accountable for actions that violate the law and the rights of civilians.

 @9F7J47WLibertarian from Ohio  answered…3yrs3Y

Yes, by the states, but not by the feds

 @9D6V4WXRepublican  from Alabama  answered…2yrs2Y

Yes and correctional officers and those serving in the US Armed Forces should also be required to wear body cameras.

 @9DG7WRRRepublican from Kansas  answered…3yrs3Y

Except when in high security missions/areas/classified law enforcement.

 @9DF5F8GRepublican from Oklahoma  answered…3yrs3Y

No and we should allow police to subdue criminals any way they deem necessary.

 @9D6V4WXRepublican  from Alabama  answered…3yrs3Y

Yes, and correctional officers should be required to wear body cameras too.

 @97K6DMPLibertarian from Maryland  answered…4yrs4Y

Yes, and courts and departments must not be allowed to hide footage. Transparency is necessary.

 @9B9CR69Libertarian from New York  answered…3yrs3Y

This should be a decision for each individual state to make, via voter referendum.

 @96BL8V3Libertarian from Ohio  answered…4yrs4Y

Yes, and police officers should not have control of the camera.

 @84ZWD6LLibertarian from Pennsylvania  answered…4yrs4Y

Yes, but only at the federal level and departments that receive federal funding. Let other states and local governments determine at their level

 @93RFP8KLibertarian from Kansas  answered…4yrs4Y

It should be up to the cop, BUT, were I a cop, I would, for my own protection.

 @93R8VBMLibertarian from Alabama  answered…4yrs4Y

Yes, and the footage should be available as public records.

 @93GP3FCLibertarian from Mississippi  answered…4yrs4Y

No, it should be up to the police department to decide if their officers should wear body cameras if it is even in their budget.

 @933RHPMLibertarian from Texas  answered…4yrs4Y

Yes and the police should not be able to turn it off

 @92VGYG9Libertarian from Virginia  answered…4yrs4Y

Yes, abolish the police in favor of community training and private firearm ownership.

 @92VF3L8Libertarian from Florida  answered…4yrs4Y

It should be the local department’s choice

 @92GW5SFLibertarian from Wisconsin  answered…4yrs4Y

I like the idea as long as it's not insanely expensive

 @8YWPRNKLibertarian from Arizona  answered…4yrs4Y

Abolish the slave-catchers.

 @8YKGJ3RLibertarian from Texas  answered…4yrs4Y

They decide when to have them on?

 @8XKWJZSRepublican from New Hampshire  answered…4yrs4Y

It should be voted upon at the local and state levels, allowing officers and their communities to decide.

 @7XFQBH7Libertarian from Texas  answered…4yrs4Y

No, but in an instance where the civilian is injured or killed by the police officer, they should be heavily penalized for not wearing one up to and including prison time.

 @8X883ZZRepublican from Alabama  answered…5yrs5Y

Yes, it is a good idea, from a safety perspective, for the officer and citizens, but I am concerned about 5th amendment rights.

 @8X883ZZRepublican from Alabama  answered…5yrs5Y

It is a good idea, from a safety perspective, for the officer and citizens, but I am concerned about 5th amendment rights.

 @Darktrooper007Libertarian from Georgia  answered…5yrs5Y

Yes, this will protect the safety and rights of police officers and citizens. However, there should be strict privacy rules regarding access to and use of body camera footage.

 @8WG65F2Republican from Pennsylvania  answered…5yrs5Y

This should be decided on the community level

 @8WD54MTLibertarian from North Carolina  answered…5yrs5Y

Should be up to municipalities, but it's a good idea.

 @8VJ4NPSLibertarian from Florida  answered…5yrs5Y

Yes, but only for as long we we still have state owned police

 @8VFPHLVLibertarian from Texas  answered…5yrs5Y

If the local citizens want them to.

 @8V6SVXXLibertarian from Michigan  answered…5yrs5Y

new officers should be required to wear a body camera. veteran officers should not be required to wear a body camera, as they are generally more responsible.

 @8V5R94KRepublican from Georgia  answered…5yrs5Y

well i dont really care what they do

 @8T6ZXPBRepublican from Maine  answered…5yrs5Y

Yes and citizens should be allowed to record officers for their safety and rights.

 @8T37PWTLibertarian from Georgia  answered…5yrs5Y

No, but it should be encouraged for transparency

 @8SVJV67Republican from Louisiana  answered…5yrs5Y

Yes since this provides clear evidence when it comes to court hearings and trials for the suspect.

 @8S7DSWWLibertarian from Utah  answered…5yrs5Y

not required

 @8RPFLTLLibertarian from Michigan  answered…5yrs5Y

I do not think this will make much of a difference.

 @8QWTDPGRepublican from New York  answered…5yrs5Y

No, it should be the officer’s choice to wear one

 @8QKGHJBRepublican from Illinois  answered…5yrs5Y

No, because even with video evidence clearly showing an officer was in the right, people still don't believe.

 @8QJZ8Y9Libertarian from Michigan  answered…5yrs5Y

Yes. Also make it an instant Tampering with evidence charge and put the officer on UNPAID leave until investigated by an outside entity, if they turn it off while on duty.

 @8QBTSBBRepublican from Washington  answered…5yrs5Y

Yes, it's very important to use footage as evidence against baseless claims.

 @8Q9T43KRepublican from Tennessee  answered…5yrs5Y

Yes, it will keep everyone safe and help in court. If it’s on video it happened

 @8PV3288Libertarian from Illinois  answered…5yrs5Y

Depending on the police officers record of misconduct they should be able to choose. If an officer has a complaint or a history of miscount they should be required by law to have a body cam. However if a police officer has no record of misconduct it should be up to his own discretion.

 @8PQVD82Republican from Minnesota  answered…5yrs5Y

Yes, but I only support it because there wouldn’t be so much false stuff about cops if we had these

 @8P9TMF2Republican from North Carolina  answered…5yrs5Y

In high crime rate areas or in an area that might be susceptible to an attack to the officers or citizens, then yes. It gets more of a story other than some attack being recorded on a smartphone.

 @8P7GYD9Republican from South Carolina  answered…5yrs5Y

Yes, it provides a objective witness in court

 @8NTP2VDRepublican from Virginia  answered…6yrs6Y

Yes, but the officers word of what happened should be considered as well because cameras don always catch the full story.

 @User12345Republican from Virginia  answered…6yrs6Y

Yes and they should be required to have them on at all times. And there should be steep penalties including termination from serving as police officer and inability to ever serve again, if they are ever purposefully turned off. And there should be an investigation if one is ever turned off. And the officer(s) should be suspended without pay during the investigation.

 @8MN3TQCRepublican from Arkansas  answered…6yrs6Y

Yes, because you never know who is lying, but most likely they would believe the cop over the non-cop.

 @8MRZPV7Libertarian from New Hampshire  answered…6yrs6Y

The police should be privatized, and the private companies should make this decision for their officers.

 @8MBVZVYLibertarian from Indiana  answered…6yrs6Y

Yes, if approved by state or local government. Federal government should defer to locals.

 @8M3Y6LKRepublican from Texas  answered…6yrs6Y

Yes, as long as media does not interfere or edit the video

 @8LVXJTSLibertarian from Illinois  answered…6yrs6Y

Does it matter? People complain either way. Tell stupid people to stop breaking the law.

 @8LB7R7SRepublican from Nevada  answered…6yrs6Y

Yes, and the camera should be on all the time, otherwise police officer should be charged and indicted.

 @8L56Y67Republican from Ohio  answered…6yrs6Y

Its already required

 @8KWFMW4Libertarian from Washington  answered…6yrs6Y

Yes, but Privatize the police

 @8KDKLTFLibertarian from Massachusetts  answered…6yrs6Y

Yes, but criminal defendants should not be able to suppress the footage

 @8K6SJ9XRepublican from Ohio  answered…6yrs6Y

Yes, this will protect the officers more if they get blamed for something they didn't actually do.

 @8K484BZRepublican from Georgia  answered…6yrs6Y

Most stations already do and its a good thing

 @8JWG632Republican from New York  answered…6yrs6Y

yes, it can pretect them.

 @8HVYNLXRepublican from Mississippi  answered…6yrs6Y

Yes because what if something happens and they cant prove it they alsways have there body camera recording

 @8DJK49LRepublican from Washington  answered…6yrs6Y

Yes, and increase funding

 @4Y4PRDLLibertarianfrom Texas  answered…6yrs6Y

Yes, but this should be decided at the state or local level.

 @8DDGSRQLibertarian from Colorado  answered…6yrs6Y

Yes, but should be allowed to turn them off in sensitive situations, such as questioning victims

 @8D66PCJRepublican from Florida  answered…6yrs6Y

Yes, but it should be a felony for any news organization, attorney or politician to make any statement or leak video about issues until the full investigation is completed. Neither the officers nor accused should be tried in the court of public opinion.

 @8CYRLSZLibertarian from Kansas  answered…6yrs6Y

Yes as long as citizens privacy is still protected

 @8CM3X3HRepublican from Indiana  answered…6yrs6Y

Yes, particularly patrol officers.

 @8CK68YHLibertarian from Wisconsin  answered…6yrs6Y

Yes, if the citizens of the policed area have voted to approve a tax increase for the costs of camera equipment and video storage.

 @84ZWD6LLibertarian from Pennsylvania  answered…6yrs6Y

Yes, but only at the federal level. Let states and local governments determine at their level

 @3LFNRN5Libertariananswered…3yrs3Y

Regardless, they should not be allowed to prohibit or prevent citizens from filming interactions nor confiscate recording devices without a warrant or delete information from confiscated devices.

 @9C8NDGPLibertarian from Kansas  answered…3yrs3Y

Such a decision should be decided at the county and municipal levels

 @9B5CG66Republican from Pennsylvania  answered…3yrs3Y

Yes, this will protect the safety and rights of police officers and citizens but only for patrol officers in high crime areas

 @84ZWD6LLibertarian from Pennsylvania  answered…3yrs3Y

Yes, but only at the federal level. Let other states and local governments determine at their level

 @99PQL89Republican from Pennsylvania  answered…3yrs3Y

yes because bodycam footage is entertaining to watch

 @98G45QWRepublican from Wisconsin  answered…3yrs3Y

Yes, this will prevent police officers from abusing their power.

 @98FKVY2Republican from Texas  answered…3yrs3Y

Yes, but to protect the officers.

 @84ZWD6LLibertarian from Pennsylvania  answered…3yrs3Y

Yes, but only at the federal level and local/state departments that receive federal funding. Let other states and local governments determine at their level

 @985X8BVLibertarian from Illinois  answered…3yrs3Y

No, and abolish the police and replace them with a private security organization.

 @97VV5B6Republican from Tennessee  answered…3yrs3Y

Yes because it can teach new and upcoming officers how to handle situations better it is like film for football teams. You learn from their mistakes and can get rid of bad officers.

 @97MHQVQRepublican from South Dakota  answered…4yrs4Y

yes incase they do something wrong

 @978V9VFLibertarian from Kansas  answered…4yrs4Y

Yes, and it should always be on

 @9788CYJRepublican from Tennessee  answered…4yrs4Y

Maybe. Body cameras can certainly help prevent police brutality and even police officers falsely accused of brutality, but I worry also that body cams will put officers under undue pressure, thereby making them less effective at their jobs. I can see it from both sides.

 @973C3KXRepublican from New Jersey  answered…4yrs4Y

Yes, but a warrant must be ordered through the courts before the video data is retrieved

 @96VLZKTRepublican from Oklahoma  answered…4yrs4Y

I believe they should wear a body cam but I don’t think it should be mandatory

 @96S2DRWLibertarian from North Carolina  answered…4yrs4Y

it should be mandated to wear one and legal to have it shown in case a trial

 @8XKP3CYRepublican from Iowa  answered…4yrs4Y

No, but in a broken world like this, they probably should for their own safety.

 @8T7ZN7VRepublican from North Carolina  answered…5yrs5Y

yes but only released to the public when all facts have been verified

 @8MXG33XLibertarian from Colorado  answered…6yrs6Y

Yes, but they should be allowed to temporarily disable them for restroom privacy. However, the disabling can be time stamped in order to prevent abuse.

 @8M8HB4VRepublican from Louisiana  answered…6yrs6Y

Yes, and they should not have the option to turn them off

 @8M825GQRepublican from New Jersey  answered…6yrs6Y

Yes, but only while on the job.

 @8L9P9YCRepublican from Missouri  answered…6yrs6Y

Based off community need and funding, but overall its good for investigations as a whole

 @8KDTR3DLibertarian from Texas  answered…6yrs6Y

Yes and punishments accordingly to those who do not use them appropriately or turn them off

 @8JCYJ2WLibertarian from Georgia  answered…6yrs6Y

No, it should be up to the local community to decide

 @8DSD2SNLibertarian from Utah  answered…6yrs6Y

Yes most definitely. With everything going on in the world right now, it wouldnt hurt. I think it would give a lot of people a peace of mind.

 @mathomas156Libertarian from Virginia  answered…4yrs4Y

No, it should be an officer's decision to wear one.

 @92JN7HKRepublican from New York  answered…4yrs4Y

No, because cameras stop an officer's right to discretion.

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 @VOTA submitted…1yr1Y

Biden will issue a pardon of his son Hunter Biden

President Joe Biden has decided to issue a pardon for his son Hunter and is expected to announce it Sunday night, according to a senior White House official with direct knowledge of the decision.The decision marks a reversal for the president, who has repeatedly said he would not use his executive authority to pardon his son or commute his sentence. The pardon comes ahead of Hunter Biden’s Dec. 12 sentencing for his conviction on federal gun charges. Hunter Biden also is set to be sentenced in a separate criminal case on Dec. 16, after pleading guilty in September on federal tax evasion charges.The pardon is expected to cover both Hunter Biden’s gun charges conviction and guilty plea.The senior White House official said Biden decided over this weekend to grant his son a pardon and began to inform his senior aides on Sunday. Using his pardon power to assure Hunter Biden does not spend time in jail comes as the 82-year-old president is near the end of his term in the White House and has no future election to face. In recent months Biden has said he would not pardon his son or commute his sentence.“I will not pardon him,” the president said of his son in June after a jury found him guilty on three federal gun charges.President Biden has discussed issuing a pardon for his son with some of his closest aides since at least Hunter Biden’s conviction in June, two people with direct knowledge of the discussions about the matter said. They said a decision was made at the time for the president to publicly say he would not pardon his son even though doing so remained on the table.White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters earlier this month that the president’s position has not changed.

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