Date of Conferral

2022

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Criminal Justice

Advisor

Tony Gaskew

Abstract

Law enforcement officials have been increasingly using body-worn cameras (BWCs). The presence of BWCs and subsequent recordings may have a de-escalation effect on citizens, causing more self-awareness, less combativeness, and more compliance. However, additional knowledge is needed to elucidate how citizens react when they are aware their BWCs are being used. The current study was an examination of citizens’ perceptions regarding compliance during encounters with police officers equipped with BWCs. Deterrence and self-awareness theories were the theoretical framework and procedural justice was the conceptual framework used to understand citizens’ behaviors during police–citizen encounters. Participants were 13 individuals in the state of Illinois between ages 23 and 66 who had encountered police equipped with BWCs within the previous 12 months. Participants were recruited through the Nextdoor social media application and snowball sampling. Data were collected via Zoom interviews. Data analysis was conducted through manual coding and three emerging themes were identified: (a) officers do not routinely alert citizens that they are recording, (b) presence of BWC puts citizens more at ease, and (c) citizens feel the need to comply with police officers during encounters. Findings indicate that more training is necessary for officers to adequately implement and effectively use BWCs. The results of this study have potential implications for positive social change by closing a gap in the literature; encouraging more research in this field; and informing policy makers, law enforcement officials, community leaders, and community members of citizens’ perceptions regarding BWC use during police–citizen encounters.

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