경찰활동에의 신체 부착 카메라 관련 논점과 한국 경찰에의 적용 전망

Abstract

Body cameras have attracted attention from police practitioners as well as community members. A body camera is a small device that can be attached to uniforms of police officers and it can record the interactions between officers and citizens. The experiences from some English and American police agencies show that there can be many benefits from using body cameras. First, exposures to camera can change officers’ as well as citizens’ behavior. A few studies show that police and citizens behave differently when they are aware that their behaviors are recorded in cameras. Thus, agencies had less civilian complaints after body cameras were introduced. Second, officers were less likely to use force against citizens. Research shows that officers are less reliant on police force when they know that their behavior is recorded in body cameras. Third, the footage of body camera was useful in resolving conflicts between officers and citizens. When citizens file complaints against officers, two parties used to show discrepancy regarding what happened during the interactions. If such encounters are recorded, however, police as well as community members can have a better understanding of the situations. Last, the footage recorded in the body camera was helpful in pre-service and in-service training. However, some concerns have been raised with respect to the body camera. First, unlike closed circuit televisions, body camera can infringe on citizens’ privacy by recording unwanted situations. Second, officers can exercise their discretion regarding if and when they start and stop recording their body cameras. Third, it is very expensive for agencies to buy and maintain the system. To address these issues, police agencies establish policies regarding the use of body cameras, and police leaders should work closely with community members to reduce the concerns of citizens. Unlike English and American police agencies, however, Korean police may not use body cameras in most patrol activities and traffic duties. The current rule specifies that police should use cameras when crime has occurred or is about to occur. Yet, even under the current rules and regulations, Korean police can take advantage of body cameras in some situations. As in the case of England and the US, Korean police officers can be benefited from using body cameras in investigating prostitution and drug crimes. Also, police leaders need to work closely with field officers and citizens to minimize the concerns and worries about infringement of privacy and human rights.