Gardaí have raised alarm over the growing trend of so-called “citizen journalists” recording interactions with officers for social media content.
At the annual conference of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI), calls were made for stronger protections to shield gardaí and their families from the mental strain caused by on-camera provocation.
Inspector Amanda Flood of Store Street Garda Station highlighted concerns about individuals known as ‘auditors’ filming inside garda stations, warning that the practice could deter victims of crime from seeking help. Originating in the US, auditors often film confrontational encounters with police to post online.
Flood noted an increase in edited videos being shared online, portraying gardaí in a negative light.
She called for clear operational guidelines to help officers handle such situations and urged the introduction of legal measures to protect gardaí and the public from “harassment or doxxing in some cases”.