The addition of body-worn cameras was once welcomed by a DEA official in a 2021 press release for the transparency and assurance they provide. However, a recent investigative report by ProPublica reveals that the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) under the Trump administration has abandoned its bodycam program.
The change was announced internally through an email, as reported by ProPublica, but the agency did not make a formal announcement or publicly acknowledge the reversal. The DEA’s email cited being «consistent» with Trump’s order to rescind harmful executive orders, including the one expanding the use of body cameras by federal law enforcement.
ProPublica questions the rationale behind the DEA’s decision, as other DOJ agencies like the US Marshals Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) continue to use body cameras. The sentiment regarding bodycams is often focused on preventing abuse of power by law enforcement officers, but they also serve to protect officers, as highlighted by former US attorney David DeVillers.
Studies consistently show that body cameras lead to a reduction in complaints against officers, though the exact reason for this decrease is not clear. The positive outlook on bodycams expressed by the DEA in the past is supported by data.
In 2021, the DOJ mandated federal agents to wear bodycams in response to events like George Floyd’s murder and the ensuing protests. Former Attorney General Merrick Garland emphasized the importance of accountability and trust between law enforcement and the community.
Interestingly, the DEA’s decision to abandon its bodycam program contradicts one of the Trump administration’s supposed priorities. A substantial contract worth $30.4 million with Axon for cameras and software is still active, with a significant portion of the sum still outstanding. This raises questions about the administration’s commitment to «government efficiency.»
The original article appeared on Engadget at .
FUENTE
