To Activate or Not? Examining Police Decisions on Body-Worn Camera Activation

This study examined body-worn camera activations across calls for service and officer-initiated policing activities using data from the Milwaukee Police Department in 2017. Both calls for service and officer-initiated activities that involved greater potential risk, such as calls for violent crimes, traffic stops, and subject stops had the highest activation rates. Interactions with community members resulting in arrest, detainment, citation, or advisement had higher activation rates. Given the variation across officers and event types, both departmental policy and officer discretion may be important influences on activation.