The Mandatory Use of Body Cameras of All Law Enforcement to Promote Transparency in Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City: An Assessment

Abstract

A Body Camera also called a (body worn camera ) is a small camera which can be clipped onto a police officer’s uniform or worn as a headset and turned on to record video and audio of law enforcement encounters with the public. The video is often saved with time and date stamps and GPS coordinates. Several body cameras offer real-time video streaming. The footage is uploaded to externaldatabases maintained by police agencies or to third party vendors. When the police turn on body-worn cameras, they collect video or audio footage of people; however, the intention of using the technologically advanced equipment is to help substantiate memory and record direct evidence of interactions between law enforcement officers and the citizens do not always serve its purpose. Although preventing confrontational situations, resolving officer-involved and complaints, strengthening officer performance, and police accountability are additional positive outcomes based on implementing these practices, it sometimes violates the privacy of the people. The research aims to know whether the respondents view the mandatory use of body cameras as effective. The researchers utilized the descriptive method to determine whether the mandatory use of body cameras to promote transparency of all law enforcement along Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City is effective. The questionnaire and interview were used in gathering dataand information necessary to complete the study. To formulate the concept and framework of the study, various readings were undertaken by the researchers in gathering information pertinent to the problem. The researchers formulated the concept of the study by reading articles, literature, and studies related to the study. From reading, the researchers determined the variables, indications, and framework of the study. The respondents are described according to different demographic profiles. The majority of the respondents were from the age bracket of 24-29 years old, 54.29% were female, 60% were single, and 60% were college graduates. There are assessments about the mandatory use of body cameras to promote transparency of all law enforcement along Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City. There were also problems encountered by the law enforcers on the use of body camera and there were proposed measures to address the problems encountered by the use of body camera. The results of this study can be used to prevent confrontational situations, resolve officer-involved complaints, strengthen officer performance, and promote transparency to all law enforcement with the use of body camera.