Police culture and body-worn cameras: examining how cultural values impact officers’ acceptance of technology

Abstract The proliferation of body-worn cameras over the last decade has been accompanied by an abundance of research. Largely absent from such inquiries is the potential influence of cultural attitudes on support for body-worn cameras. Traditional aspects of the police culture may serve as barriers to acceptance of any emergent technology. Analyzing survey data from approximately 350 officers from an urban police department in the USA, this study reveals that some facets of police culture impact officers’ support for body-worn cameras. The findings have policy implications as police continuously adopt new technologies. Police leaders need ways to identify those officers who may be resistant and to mitigate concerns and promote trust in technology.