Body-Worn Camera Research

The Milwaukee Police Department’s Body-Worn Camera Program

Source

The Urban Institute (2018)

Authors

Bryce E. Peterson, Lilly Yu, Nancy La Vigne, and Daniel S. Lawrence

This brief describes the results of the Urban Institute’s evaluation of the Milwaukee Police Department’s body-worn camera program. From October 2015 to December 2016, the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) deployed body-worn cameras (BWCs) in a phased rollout to all of its roughly 1,100 patrol officers. Through a randomized controlled trial of 504 officers, the Urban Institute found that those who wore BWCs conducted fewer subject stops and were less likely to receive a complaint than officers that did not receive cameras. However, BWCs had no effect on whether officers engaged in use of force during the study period.

To read the full report, click here.