Copwatchers: citizen journalism and the changing police-community dynamic

Abstract

Recent high profile police-citizen encounters have highlighted how citizen journalism may shape public perceptions of police-community relations. Modern technological advances have enabled citizens to use cell phones to film and photograph the police, leading to increased awareness of police use of force. Controversial incidents have also led to a push for police officers to wear uniform body cameras. Given this is a new phenomenon, citizens recording the police has received little research attention. As such, this dissertation explores the motivations and reasons why citizens record the police, and how this can change the dynamic of the police-community relationship. Through in-depth interviews with citizens and police officers, this study addresses why citizens record the police, law enforcement’s response to being recorded, the implementation of body worn cameras as another tool of accountability, and the impact of citizen journalism. Results indicate that citizens record the police because of accessibility of devices, a desire for accountability and preventing misconduct, and passive resistance. Citizens’ previous personal and vicarious contacts with police were also influential. Police officers were accepting of citizens filming them unless it became distracting or individuals interfered. Importantly, the use of body worn cameras and citizen-generated recordings both have the ability to change officer and citizen attitudes and behaviors. The act of recording the police has become more individualized and widespread, changing the role of the citizen from passive observer to one that holds police accountable. Citizen recordings also alter perceptions of police legitimacy. Ultimately the dynamic of the police-community relationship is changing, becoming more publicized and adversarial via citizens challenging authority.