Accept, reject or undecided: an examination of police officers' acceptance and perceptions of body worn cameras

Purpose The current study utilizes measures drawn from the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model, along with additional factors included in previous studies, to determine which factors are associated with police officer acceptance of BWC technology. In addition, this study assesses changes in officers' perceptions and acceptance of BWCs after implementation of the technology. Design/methodology/approach The current study analyzes survey data collected from officers working in a mid-size, local police agency in the upper Midwestern region in the United States. Findings Officers' acceptance of BWCs increased after using the equipment for one year. In addition, a significant relationship was found between officers' acceptance of BWC technology and two variables drawn from the UTAUT model: social influence and performance expectancy. Research limitations/implications The study was limited to data from one police agency. Data analyzed in this study are drawn from a racially/ethnically homogeneous police population working in a racial/ethnically homogenous community. In an effort to protect officers' identities, the pre and post surveys were not matched to individual officers. This restricted our ability to assess changes in individual officers' perceptions over time; however, we were able to assess changes in perceptions on an organizational level over time. Practical implications The findings from this study can provide guidance to police agencies that have not yet implemented BWC technology by identifying the significance of social influence by peers both before and after implementation of this technology. Originality/value This is one of the first studies to examine the relationship between officers' acceptance of BWCs and social influence by colleagues.