An Garda Síochána have taken the first step in the roll out of body cameras with the commencement of the public procurement process.
Gardaí have published a Request for Information on body cameras and digital evidence management systems on the EU Tenders website.
Body Worm Cameras are small, lightweight cameras that are visibly worn by a Garda, and record footage to its own internal encrypted storage.
This is uploaded at the end of each shift so that it can be used as evidence at court or is deleted after an agreed time period if it’s not required as evidence.
Speaking today, Chief Superintendent Derek Smart said that body worn cameras have the potential to transform policing.
“They provide a safeguard, not just to Gardaí, but to the public and to the people we interact with on a daily basis.”
Chief Supt. Smart concluded, “Today is the first step in the Public Procurement process for one of the largest investments in technology in An Garda Síochána, an investment in the future of policing in Ireland.”
It is expected that body cameras will come into use on a pilot basis in mid-2024, with a full rollout the following year.
Andrew O Sullivan, Chief Information Officer for An Garda Síochána, commented, “A modern police service must have electronic tools to be effective in keeping people safe in today’s society.”
“Policing itself must continue to digitalise in order to keep people safe in a digital age.”
