Rethinking Public Support for Body-Worn Cameras: Race, Ethnicity, and Context

This study revisits public support for the use of body-worn cameras (BWCs) in policing, with a specific focus on examining the multifaceted role of race and ethnicity. We test two models in which race and ethnicity shape attitudes toward BWCs by contextualizing two prominent factors: instrumental concern and procedural justice. Using a nationally representative sample of 3,306 U.S. adults, we examine the indirect effect of race and ethnicity through path analysis (generalized structural equation modeling [GSEM]) and their moderating effects with OLS regression. Compared to Whites, African Americans expressed greater skepticism about BWCs’ ability to reduce police use of excessive force, which in turn lowered their support for BWCs. Both African Americans and Hispanic/Latino respondents viewed the police as less procedurally just, further reducing BWC support. Moreover, the positive association between procedural justice and BWC support was weaker among African Americans than among Whites. Our findings highlight the significance and multifaceted role of race and ethnicity in shaping public perceptions of police reforms such as BWCs. In this context, building trust in minority communities requires open communication, genuine collaboration, and a clear acknowledgment of past injustices.