Throughout 2021, there has been increased debate on the use of police body-worn cameras (BWCs) in Brazil. Testing programs are being implemented in three states, including the state of São Paulo, home to Brazil's largest police force, and most Brazilian states are currently reviewing their usage.
But, though preliminary data indicates body-worn cameras may help reduce police violence, the international evidence is mixed. Some studies have found BWCs reduce complaints, indicating a reduction in police violence, whereas in others BWCs do not have a clear impact on police or citizen behaviours. In Brazil too, the use of BWCs has highlighted questions around labor issues, privacy and the reproduction of structural inequalities.
This event brings together leading practitioners and academics from Brazil and the UK to examine when, and under what conditions, can BWCs help to reduce police violence. It will connect current advances in Brazil to research and reflections currently undertaken internationally, contributing to the deepening of public debate on this prominent issue.
Panel
Dr Alex Sutherland is Chief Scientist and Director of Research and Evaluation at the Behavioural Insights Team, a UK-based global social purpose organisation that generates and applies behavioural insights to inform policy and improve public services. His recent published work has been on police body-worn cameras and he has led a number of large-scale randomised-controlled trials in criminal justice and other areas.
Prof Barak Ariel is a Reader in Experimental Criminology at the University of Cambridge and has been involved in evaluation research projects with a large number of criminal justice agencies around the world, specifically on organised crime, crime and place, and technology in policing. He is an advisor to several governments and police departments, including in the UK, United States, Latin America and Europe.
Caterina Soto Vieira is a PhD student in Economics at LSE. Part of her research is interested in the effects of of technology on policing. In partnership with the Military Police of Santa Catarina and Igarapé Institute, she conducted two large-scale experiments in Brazil to assess the effects of Body-Worn Cameras on use of force by the Police and evaluate a community-policing program.
The event will be co-chaired by Dr Tomaz Paoliello, an LSE LACC visiting fellow and assistant professor at the Pontifical Catholic University of São Paulo (PUC-SP) and an expert in security governance practices, and Dr Liam O'Shea, the 2020/22 LSE Dinam Fellow and lead on the www.howtoreformthepolice.com project.
Please find the event recording here.