Residents Support Police Body Cameras In Fairfax County: Study

MOUNT VERNON, VA—A study of a body camera pilot program for Fairfax County Police found strong support for officers wearing body cameras. The findings of the study conducted by an American University research team were presented to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday. The board will vote on adopting a permanent body camera program on Sept. 24.

The pilot program ran from March 3, 2018 to Sept. 1, 2018. Officers at the Mount Vernon, Mason and Reston district stations as well as a sample of Motor Squad officers and Animal Protection officers wore 203 body cameras. The three district stations were chosen due to the diversity of the communities, various types of calls for service and incidents resulting in the use of force.

Officers were instructed to turn on body cameras during encounters with residents. Recording could not happen in courts or medical facilities, when a person gave a statement in an alleged rape or sexual assault, and when a person reported a crime and requested anonymity.

American University conducted a telephone survey of 603 residents who had an interaction with an officer during the pilot program. Of these, 92 percent want all Fairfax County officers to wear body cameras, and 83 percent either agreed or strongly agreed they were satisfied with how the officer treated them. These results varied when broken down by age group and race. On the other hand, researchers found no evidence that the presence or absence of a body camera during police encounters had a significant impact on residents' perceptions.

Police Chief Ed Roessler Jr. expressed support for the body camera program. "We already have robust accountability tools with in-car video, the Civilian Review Panel and the Police Auditor," he said in a statement. "We investigate every use of force by matter of policy. The use of body worn cameras will benefit both the community and our officers to ensure that our high level of public trust is maintained."

Two squads of officers were also surveyed before and after the pilot body camera program. Most agreed body cameras would aid in gathering evidence and help settle complaints against officers. Interestingly, one squad's perception about body cameras became more negative after the program, while the other's became slightly more positive. For instance, 56 percent of one squad disagreed that body cameras would improve community relations; that dropped to 52 percent disagreeing after the pilot program. The number of officers in the other squad disagreeing went up from 41 percent to 44 percent.

There were more mixed feelings about whether body cameras would make officers more professional and reduce proactive encounters with community members. Many of the surveyed officers believe body cameras are needed in police departments with community relations problems, corruption or other issues. But they don't believe the Fairfax County Police Department has these kinds of problems.

Several supervisors expressed support for the body camera program, although a few voiced concerns about the cost. WTOP reported that the estimated cost could be $30 million over five years.

You can see the full study results for the police body camera pilot program here.