DP16578 De-escalation technology: the impact of body-worn cameras on citizen-police interactions
Author(s): | Daniel Barbosa, Thiemo Fetzer, Pedro CL Souza, Caterina Vieira |
Publication Date: | September 2021 |
Date Revised: | September 2021 |
Keyword(s): | field experiment, police citizen interaction, technology, use-of-force |
JEL(s): | C93, D73, D74 |
Programme Areas: | Public Economics, Development Economics |
Link to this Page: | cepr.org/active/publications/discussion_papers/dp.php?dpno=16578 |
We provide experimental evidence that monitoring of the police activity through body-worn cameras reduces use-of-force, handcuffs and arrests, and enhances criminal reporting. Stronger treatment effects occur on events classified ex-ante of low seriousness. Monitoring effects are moderated by officer rank, which is consistent with a career concern motive by junior officers. Overall, results show that the use of body-worn cameras de-escalates conflicts.