A new pilot project introducing body-worn cameras for Garda officers has started in Dublin. Launched by Prime Minister Simon Harris on Friday, this “proof of concept” (PoC) trial involves around 700 officers.
Gardaí at Pearse Street, Kevin Street, and Store Street stations in Dublin will now wear small body cameras while on duty. The trial will expand to Waterford and Henry Street stations in Limerick in the coming months.
Prime Minister Harris highlighted the benefits of this new technology, including increased security for both gardaí and the community. The cameras are expected to aid in evidence gathering and reduce complaints of Garda misconduct.
In Dublin, the cameras are manufactured by Axon, while Reveal and Motorola have been contracted for cameras in Limerick and Waterford, respectively.
The cameras can record video and audio but are not always recording. Officers can activate the camera when needed, and a red light will flash to indicate recording. The cameras offer a 160-degree field of vision and can store up to 64 GB of data, recording continuously for up to 16 hours.
Footage is transferred to the Digital Evidence Management System (DEMS) and kept for 31 days unless needed for evidence. Only authorized personnel can access the footage using their Garda ID.
