Publication Date

Spring 2017

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Public Administration

Department

Public Administration

First Advisor

Susan Gaffney, Ph.D.

Second Advisor

Natalia Ermasova, Ph.D.

Third Advisor

Harley Schinker, Ph.D.

Abstract

The United States experienced unprecedented growth after World War II. America in the 60’s began to confront cultural, racial and value issues. Questions regarding brutality and unjust treatment by members of law enforcement towards minorities began to become more observed. March 2015 saw President Barack Obama’s Taskforce on 21st Century Policing begin to address this issue in their interim report. The task force identified law enforcement’s need to use new technology as a tool to improve the relationship with the citizens they are sworn to protect and serve. This finding was supported immediately by the Obama Administration. The goal of this qualitative study is to determine what effect body worn cameras worn by law enforcement have had on society. The use of body worn cameras by law enforcement is relatively new. The researcher felt the need to identify a sample group of a specific faction of law enforcement was important to this project. The sample group selected represented small cities/towns from a specific region in Illinois. Law enforcement executives from this specific region, which have body worn camera programs in place, were than interviewed on the effectiveness of their programs. The effect cameras have had on society is identified as positive. Cameras were shown to reveal negative and positive reactions from citizens as well as law enforcement. The results of this case study research project showed that racial discord and police brutality concerns were overshadowed by the economic constraints body worn camera programs create for small communities.

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