WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- Since body cameras were introduced to police departments across the country, a lot has changed not only for officers, but also people who call police.
- Studies reveal drop in complaints against police since body cams
- People can request body cam footage in some circumstances
- If approved, people can view footage at the department
National studies show a big drop in complaints against police officers since departments began using body cameras.
Officers say a decrease in those numbers since wearing body cameras has not altered their job description.
“So since getting body cameras, our job hasn’t changed at all. We’re still held to the same standard of professional operations that we always would as police officers. The benefit of the body camera is, it provides a window, so to speak, or an unbiased witness toward the interactions that happens between us and the citizens,” said Sgt. Sammy Langdon, Winston-Salem Police Department.
Depending on the circumstances of an investigation, people can fill out a request for police body cam footage.
If approved, they will be able to view the video at the department that it was requested from.