Frontline Gardaí commence use of bodyworn cameras

Frontline Gardaí have commenced the use of bodyworn cameras, following the enactment of the Gardaí Síochána (Recording Devices) Act 2023, a priority of the Minister for Justice Helen McEntee.

The Taoiseach, Simon Harris; Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee; and Garda Commissioner, Drew Harris attended Store Street Garda station in Dublin’s North Inner-city today to launch the pilot phase of bodyworn cameras for frontline Gardaí.

The pilot – or ‘proof-of-concept’ – phase will take place in Dublin, followed by Limerick and Waterford, with bodyworn cameras being introduced in the following locations:

• DMR South Central, Pearse Street Garda Station, Kevin Street Garda Station

• DMR North Central, Store Street Garda Station

• Waterford Division, Waterford Garda Station

• Limerick Garda Division, Henry Street Garda Station

Taoiseach Simon Harris said:

“Today marks an important step forward for policing in Ireland. Body-worn cameras are vital to protecting gardaí on the beat as they experience an increase of attacks which will not be tolerated.

Too often gardaí find themselves in situations where they are being recorded in tense situations with footage often edited to suit a particular narrative.

This technology will offer protection both to gardaí and to the public with accurate recording of incidents.

Body-worn cameras will also assist gardaí with their investigations and will be an effective tool for evidence gathering where necessary.

I look forward to hearing the feedback both from gardaí and the public ahead of further roll-out of body-worn cameras across the country.

The Government is committed to providing An Garda Síochána with the resources they need which is reflected in the unprecedented allocation of €2.3 billion in Budget 2024. This ensures every member of An Garda Síochána is equipped with the latest technology to keep every community across the country safe.”

Speaking at the launch, Minister McEntee said:

“Ensuring frontline Gardaí are equipped with bodyworn cameras has been a priority for me and I am glad to say we are now in a position to launch the pilot phase of this initiative which will vastly improve how we police our streets.

The Introduction of Body-worn cameras is part of my plan to ensure that An Garda Síochána is a leading edge, modern police service fit for the digital age. This technology will be invaluable to the 350 Gardaí who will use it across three Dublin city centre Garda stations. The roll-out will continue later this year in Limerick and Waterford. My plan is then to move to have body worn cameras on Gardaí in every part of the country.

Policing organisations around the world have found that body worn cameras can help improve front-line capability with the accurate recording of incidents, such as instances of domestic abuse.

We cannot keep sending Gardaí into situations where they are the only ones without the ability to record what is happening. I want to commend An Garda Síochána for the ongoing work to ensure that frontline Gardaí are supported in policing our country safely and effectively. I very much look forward to being kept informed about the progress of the pilot phase of bodyworn cameras.”

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said:

"The ability of An Garda Síochána to securely acquire and process digital evidence is a key feature of modern policing. This morning’s launch of a proof of concept for Body Worn Cameras and the supporting Digital Evidence Management System (DEMS) is an important milestone for An Garda Síochána towards the implementation of Information-Led Policing.

Body Worn Cameras, supported by the underlying legislation, technology and training, will act as an important evidentiary tool.

International experience has also shown that body-worn cameras will increase safety for Gardaí and the public.

Now, through this proof of concept, we will be able to refine our systems and processes for Body Worn Cameras based on experience and feedback.”

Minister of State James Browne said:

“Garda members play a vital role in keeping our communities safe. It is vitally important that we keep Garda members safe. With that, I am very pleased that body worn cameras are being piloted today. This proof of concept project will allow An Garda Síochána to ensure that the full roll out of body worn cameras kelp Gardaí safe for now and into the future.”

The Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Act 2023 was signed into law last December. The Act provides for body-worn cameras, Garda CCTV, automatic number plate recognition, and Community CCTV.

Each bodyworn camera can record footage to its own internal encrypted storage, which will be uploaded when the Garda docks the camera in a Garda station. Bodyworn camera footage is uploaded at the end of a shift so it can be used as evidence at court or is deleted after an agreed time period if it's not required as evidence.

Ends.

Notes for editors:

• Bodyworn Camera (BWC) refers to a small, lightweight camera that is visibly worn by a Garda.

• All of the digital imagery collected by BWCs will be managed by a Digital Evidence Management System (DEMS).

• DEMS is an ICT software solution that will enable An Garda Síochána to collect, store, manage and analyse digital evidence from BWC footage.

• DEMS will also provide An Garda Síochána a platform on which to manage existing CCTV Video Management Systems (VMS).

• A crucial part of the rollout of BWC has been the development, by the Garda Commissioner, of a Code of Practice for Gardaí, to govern the use of the cameras. The Code of Practice is authorised by a Ministerial order, which was signed by Minister McEntee on 15 May 2024.

• The Code of Practice was developed by An Garda Síochána. It was drafted following a consultation process with external bodies and the Garda associations. The Code of Practice will also be reviewed and amended where appropriate at the conclusion of the proof-of-concept exercise.

• While the operation of the cameras will be an operational matter for the Commissioner, their use will comply fully with An Garda Síochána’s obligations under data protection legislation, and with the Garda Code of Ethics.