Helen McEntee: Gardaí will not use body cameras for live surveillance

Gardaí in Dublin begin pilot phase of bodyworn cameras, to be followed shortly by their colleagues in Waterford and Limerick

Taoiseach Simon Harris and Justice Minister Helen McEntee watch a demonstration of how footage from the new bodyworn cameras will be uploaded. They were in Store St Garda Station for the launch of the pilot phase of the new bodycam system. Picture: GIS

Gardaí are now wearing body cameras for the first time, but the Justice Minister insists they will not be used as a rolling surveillance method.

A trial run was launched in Dublin on Friday, with Taoiseach Simon Harris and Justice Minister Helen McEntee both saying that the cameras had been introduced by request of the gardaí and would make their jobs both easier and safer.

The pilot — or ‘proof of concept’ — phase will take place in Dublin, followed by Limerick and Waterford, with bodyworn cameras being introduced in the following areas:

• Dublin Metropolitan Region South Central 
• Pearse St Garda Station; 
• Kevin St Garda Station;
• Dublin Metropolitan Region North Central 
• Store St Garda Station;
• Waterford Division — Waterford Garda Station;
• Limerick Division — Henry St Garda Station.

The three proof of concept phases will test the technical aspects of each camera and how they will be used operationally, in addition to the training provided to gardaí.

Phase one has now commenced in Dublin and there are currently 100 frontline gardaí attached to Pearse St Garda Station, Kevin St Garda Station and Store St Garda Station fully trained with the cameras now visible on their uniforms and in use while on duty.

Justice Minister Helen McEntee, Taoiseach Simon Harris, and Garda Commissioner Drew Harris at the launch of the ‘proof of concept’ phase of bodyworn cameras. After Dublin, the cameras will be rolled out in Waterford and Limerick. Picture: Sam Boal/Collins 

It is anticipated that by the end of June, 350-400 frontline gardaí in Dublin will be fully trained and have the cameras in use.

Each bodyworn camera can record footage to its own internal encrypted storage, which will be uploaded when the garda docks the camera in a garda station. Bodyworn camera footage is uploaded at the end of a shift.

Taoiseach Simon Harris said the introduction of cameras would address the issue where gardaí are filmed by the public, but do not have cameras of their own.

“It’s been a long frustration of many people in this country that often if seems the only person at the scene of a crime or a protest without a camera is a guard,” he said.

Too often gardaí find themselves in situations where they are being recorded in tense situations with footage often edited to suit a particular narrative.

“This technology will offer protection both to gardaí and to the public with accurate recording of incidents.”

Ms McEntee said that gardaí had requested the devices, but said that they would only be used retrospectively.

“They have been telling me from many years they want body cameras, not just to keep themselves safe but because it would be an important tool... in responding to crime and protecting victims as well.

“There will never be a situation as has been suggested before where gardaí will be walking around the city centre with live body cameras feeding into a live system.

“It will always be used in a retrospective way for evidence only.”