This case study examines the technological frames of administrators and users regarding the implementation of body-worn cameras at the Pennybridge Police Department, a mid-sized police organization (<300) in the Mid-Western United States. Using semi-structured interviews, a patrol survey, and ride-along observations; we found that different actors based on their hierarchy and function framed body-worn cameras differently over time. Administrators implemented body-cameras to protect officers from frivolous complaints while at the same time holding them accountable for their behavior. Users felt, for the most part, that the technology had become a “gotcha mechanism” as body camera footage was used to placate the public, monitor officer behavior, and charge them with minor infractions. Adding to their frustrations, users felt increasingly dispirited by the technical shortcomings of the cameras and the backend storage system provided by the vendor. At the same time, administrators were vexed by the financial and logistical burden of the program, ultimately leading to project abandonment and a search for a new system. Our findings have important implications for policymakers and future research.

本案例研究检查了管理员和用户在Pennybridge警察局实施随身摄像机的技术框架，是美国中西部的中等规模的警察组织（<300）。使用半结构化访谈，巡逻调查和沿途观察；我们发现，基于角色的层次和功能，不同的演员对随身摄像机的构架会随着时间的推移而有所不同。管理员实施了摄像机，以保护军官免受轻率的抱怨，同时要求他们对自己的行为负责。在很大程度上，用户感到该技术已成为“陷阱机制”，因为人体摄像机的镜头被用来安抚公众，监视官员的行为并向他们收取轻微违规费用。令他们感到沮丧的是，用户对相机和供应商提供的后端存储系统的技术缺陷越来越感到沮丧。与此同时，该计划的财务和后勤负担使管理员感到烦恼，最终导致了项目的放弃和对新系统的寻找。我们的发现对政策制定者和未来研究具有重要意义。