Chief’s Counsel: The Advantages and Liabilities of Camera Use by SWAT Operators
In the past decade, many police agencies have embraced body-worn cameras (BWCs) for their patrol officers. This explosion in camera usage was pushed by the public’s demand for more oversight, but the new technology also aligned with the goals of police executives to increase officer safety, collect better evidence, and reduce officer liability. While BWCs have now largely become the norm for a patrol officer, many agencies wrestle with whether a camera should be deployed to SWAT personnel as the proposition presents both advantages and liabilities.
