Hunt 1

Tyler Hunt
Mrs. DeBock
English 4 H
17 March 2016
Essential Question: Why should police wear body cameras?
Working Thesis: Police officers should wear body cameras to protect themselves and the public.
Refined Thesis: Police officers should wear body cameras to protect themselves from
unwarranted accusations and to protect the liberties of the public in altercations with law
enforcement.
Annotated Bibliography
Tsin Yen, Koh. "Point: Body Cameras Increase Police Transparency And Accountability." Points
Of View: Body Cameras For Police Officers On Patrol (2016): 1. Points of View
Reference Center. Web. 17 Mar. 2016.
Tsin Yens article explains how useful body cameras are in connection with law
enforcement. The article explains how in recent studies use of force by police decreased
dramatically when officers were wearing body cameras. In a random study, use of force by
police officers dropped a whopping 60% from the previous year at a police department in
California. Police officers seem to calm down a bit and are not so quick to use force when their
actions are being recorded. Body cameras also protect the officers from false accusations of
abuse. Citizens are quick to cry wolf on police officers about them using unnecessary force and
abusing people. The body cameras give an independent view point on the issue. This article
provided relevant information about why body cameras are an important step of reducing police
brutality.

Hunt 2
Scheindlin, Shira A., and Peter K. Manning. "Will The Widespread Use Of Police Body Cameras
Improve Police Accountability?." Americas Quarterly9.2 (2015): 24. Points of View
Reference Center. Web. 17 Mar. 2016.
This article explains the importance of cameras when police officers are making stops. A
situation is explained that police officers did not follow their rules when making a traffic stop.
The defense attorney acquired a dash cam from the police car during that stop and proved that
the officers did not follow protocol. The judge then dismissed the case due to the officers lying
and participating in outrageous conduct. Body cameras will further make sure that law
enforcement officers are follow code and not participating in law breaking activity when dealing
with citizens. The footage can always be pulled up in court if there is a dispute of what actually
happened during traffic stops or arrests. This article is relevant because it shows how cameras are
helpful in settling disputes over the truth.
SEGAN, SASCHA. "Panasonic Enters The Body Camera Fray." PC Magazine (2016): 12-15.
Computer Source. Web. 17 Mar. 2016.
Police body cameras by panasonic are more high tech than people may realize. Even though
record in the same frame as a gopro, body cameras are more complicated when it comes to
viewing videos. Special government software is required to open videos and do any kind of
editing. Editing is also recorded by each step and the original video is always kept. This way
officers can not corrupt video evidence and do away with certain parts. Cameras also have face
recognition. While it is video each camera can match and recognize faces in real time and can be
viewed by officials in identity cases. This will come in handy when trying to identify suspects or
known burglary suspects. This article provides information on how the camera works and the
security of footage that is taken.

Hunt 3

Works Cited
Tsin Yen, Koh. "Point: Body Cameras Increase Police Transparency And Accountability." Points
Of View: Body Cameras For Police Officers On Patrol (2016): 1. Points of View
Reference Center. Web. 17 Mar. 2016.
Scheindlin, Shira A., and Peter K. Manning. "Will The Widespread Use Of Police Body Cameras
Improve Police Accountability?." Americas Quarterly9.2 (2015): 24. Points of View
Reference Center. Web. 17 Mar. 2016.

Hunt 4
SEGAN, SASCHA. "Panasonic Enters The Body Camera Fray." PC Magazine (2016): 12-15.
Computer Source. Web. 17 Mar. 2016.