Gardaí may use phones instead of body-cams

Gardaí may be ordered to use smartphones to record incidents with the public as a cut-price alternative to hi-tech body cameras because of cost and information storage concerns.

Garda commissioner Drew Harris confirmed the option is being considered as a way to save money, saying each body camera could cost in the “mid-hundreds” of euro to buy. Asked during the Public Accounts Committee meeting if officers will be given body cameras similar to other countries, Mr Harris said new laws are needed before the plan can be introduced.