Cameras ‘should record prisoners’
Officers said cameras and recording equipment should be placed in station cells, reception areas, public counters, entry and exit points and inside garda vehicles.
Speakers at the annual conference of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) said such general coverage was needed to highlight the behaviour of violent inmates.
Proposing the motion, Eric Boyle said that after the recent Prime Time programme on alleged garda brutality in stations, cameras were needed to defend the good name of officers.
“In the face of having to deal with the most extreme elements of society we know the many types of difficult arrested persons we must deal with,” said Mr Doyle, of the Cavan/Monaghan branch.
“Difficult public order situations are now a nightly problem in which our members find themselves dealing with intoxicated persons who often are aggressive, violent and highly uncooperative.
“Their behaviour does not usually improve on arrival at garda stations. This can result in complaints made against members of An Garda Siochána, which places an intolerable and unnecessary strain on our members.”
He said there was no better evidence available than to replay the behaviour of the person concerned.
Speaking for the national executive, John Redmond said they were in favour of the motion.
