Gardai will be wearing body recording cameras while on duty over the course of the next year.
New laws to allow the move to go ahead will be enacted by the Government within weeks. Justice Minister Heather Humphreys has confirmed the bodycams are being brought in.
She said: “The Garda Siochana (Recording Devices) Bill 2022 was published on August 4 last. “It will provide a legal basis for the deployment and use of body-worn cameras by An Garda Siochana.
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“The Commission on the future of policing in Ireland recommended the introduction of body-worn cameras. Police organisations around the world have found such devices can help improve frontline capability with the accurate recording of incidents, expedite analysis, enhance situation awareness and sometimes protect police from harm.
“The Bill needs to be enacted before the body cameras will be deployed. The report has been prepared to go to Government and it will be going in the coming weeks. These body camera or bodycams are essential.
“It is essential the gardai are equipped with the most up to date technology to help them do the job more effectively.” The Minister confirmed €3million has been allocated for preparatory work to support the introduction of body-worn cameras.
The Government will be bringing forward the bill through both the Dail and the Seanad. Minister Humphreys was responding to Louth Independent TD Peter Fitzpatrick who demanded the new Garda bodycam laws be passed by the Dail as quickly as possible.
He pointed out Co Louth had tragically lost two gardai murdered on active duty in recent years, Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe and Garda Tony Golden.
The families of gardai have been contacting him and asking when they are going to get these cameras. Deputy Fitzpatrick added: “These body cameras will be a fantastic plus.
“In other countries they are wearing these camcorders and the results are beneficial to the protection and safety of their police.”
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