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THE CABINET WILL tomorrow see the draft of a new bill that will allow for the use of overt body-worn cameras by gardaí.
The Garda Síochána (Digital Recording) Bill will also include provisions governing the use of community-based CCTV systems.
The proposal for gardaí to use body-worn cameras was a recommendation made in the report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland.
Justice Minister Helen McEntee has said the bill also provides a code of practice governing the circumstances when it is appropriate to use the cameras and the circumstances when it is not.
The code of practice will also cover issues including the secure storage of recordings, access rights and the retention of data.
The bill is expected to be enacted next year with a number of garda associations welcoming the plans.
“A very positive development and one which AGSI has been advocating for. Proper training and policies governing their use will be needed also,” Antoinette Cunningham of the Association of Garda Sergeants & Inspectors said this morning.
The Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) has voiced concerns about the plans however, citing privacy rights and describing the cameras as “invasive and unnecessary”
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Postage step and used in the right way these can enhance policing.
However, I’m concerned that there is a ‘code of practice’ rather than a law that governs their use. There should also be a right to see full unedited footage of your interaction with the police following an arrest.
@Bluechip78:
it would probably be covered under a GDPR request
@Bluechip78: yea defo. I could see Gardai turning them off when they want to.
@Bluechip78: anyone going before a court could seek disclosure of footage from the judge.
@Rob Gale: that would be seen to be ill-advised as there will be usually a n other taking footage from an over head window, or from on a tree house. Always someone else watching.
The iccl seem to spend their time trying to prevent anything positive happening. Overt cameras are necessary for all the right reasons,and there are no negative ones.
@RJ.Fallon: well there is one pretty obvious negative one, selective recording.
Unless cameras are always on, while on duty and engaging with the public, then they could be switched on an off to create a particular narrative in any circumstances.
The majority of Garda are honest in their enforcement of the law and their engagement with the public, a minority are not, in other jurisdictions the primary reason for bodycams is oversight of the police officers and their actions on while on duty, that doesn’t seem to be the case in this instance according to this article.
@David Van-Standen: so gardaí on duty would not be entitled to have a private conversation between themselves when not interacting with the public? Would you have the cameras recording when they use the toilet? What if someone wants to tell a garda something in confidence?
@Joe Bloggs: all of those instances you mention, are when cameras can be turned off in other jurisdictions, but once they are responding to a call or otherwise engaged in their policing duties, the cameras go on and stay on until it’s resolved.
About time too
Its about time this was brought in. It will cut out all the indisgretions that are the norm for Gardai.
@Peadár Ó’Cearnacháin: it will also protect Gardaí from false accusations
@KSham: So over all it will improve the situation during an arrest. The perpetrator will try to be on their best behaviour, cause spitting death threats will go against them. And we will also see the full interaction that might have escalated a situation where the perpetrator starts recording.
And the gardai will also be on their best behaviour
Its a good step.
@Peadár Ó’Cearnacháin: Funny how it’s been the front line gardaí themselves who’ve been advocating the use of cameras for years now.
It’s about time. Too slow at getting these things sorted.
2021 and they’re only catching on now
Hopefully it will bring a change of attitude when carrying out their duties.
Who knows, maybe it will restore just a little bit of respect towards them.
@Rab C Nesbitt: ironically it’s them who are crying out got it. Says a lot about where respect is lacking
No brainer, keeps both sides honest
It would be best for civilians and Gardai. They’ll be on good behaviour and not pick on random people for no reason. That will allow the Gardai’s image among the public to improve and will also improve people’s behaviour while dealing with Gardai.
For example, pre-COVID, if a Gardai asks you for your address and you’re just walking down the street, you don’t have to respond. You don’t have to give them any information. But they would end up arresting you otherwise. Body cameras would solve this and make Gardai more aware of the public order act, offences against the state act, roads traffic act, etc. Which they don’t seem to have any knowledge of at all.
@Tomo: refusing to give your address is not an arrestable offence. Refusing to give your address having commented a designated list of offences is an arrestable offence. Gardai aren’t in the habit of lifting random people….
@Tomo: Why would someone with nothing to hide refuse to identify to a Garda?
@RJ.Fallon: why should they have to
@NotMyIreland: because some laws require it.
@NotMyIreland: unless they are hiding something , there is no problem, those who argue against it are obviously hiding something.
DC 12 will be impressed with this development.
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