Boston Test of Body Camera Shows Fewer Citizen Complaints and Reduced Use of Force

Body cameras may have a role in reducing citizen complaints against Boston Police officers, according to a report analyzing the city’s pilot program.

“In general, these analyses suggested that the placement of (body-worn cameras) on BPD officers seemed to reduce the incidence of citizen complaints,” the report, released Wednesday, states.

BPD worked with Northeastern University researchers on the report, which gives preliminary findings into the program. The impact of the body camera program, according to the report, was 12 fewer complaints filed against officers during a one-year period.

The analysis looked at the effect of 100 body worn cameras on patrol officers in five police districts and plainclothes officers in the Youth Violence Strike Force. The selected officers worked the day and first half shifts and were actively providing police services to Boston residents, the Boston Herald reports.