Gardaí will not be able to doctor or alter the bodycam footage, making it more effective, Justice Minister Helen McEntee has promised. 

An Garda Síochána has launched the pilot phase of its ‘Proof of Concept’ for Body Worn Cameras. 

Some 100 cameras have been introduced across Dublin City to test how they will be used by Gardaí on duty and in training. 

Further pilots are due to be launched in Limerick and Waterford later this year. 

Ms McEntee said it’s important to “protect Gardaí and see them safe” while on duty. 

“Every day when they go out to work, they put themselves at harm’s risk,” she told The Pat Kenny Show.

“They are also often in many instances the only people without cameras and the only people who could get a clear and accurate picture of what’s happening. 

“We cannot have a situation where Gardaí are the only people on a scene without cameras.” 

Altering video footage

Ms McEntee said there is always the risk that videos posted on social media are altered, which would not be a risk with Gardaí. 

“When we’re on social media, we look at different footage, we don’t know what’s been altered, what’s been doctored, what’s been changed,” she said. 

“We have footage that is online, and we don’t know what’s accurate and what’s not. 

“What we know with Gardaí and bodycams, footage cannot be altered or doctored.” 

Helen McEntee and Simon Harris inspecting footage taken of them using bodycams. Image: An Garda Síochána

The bodycams will not be constantly active, Ms McEntee has said, and will only be activated if Gardaí see a crime or believe a crime is about to be committed. 

When Gardaí start recording on the bodycams, the video will playback by 30 seconds to make sure full evidence is collected. 

Videos will then be sent to the respective Garda’s station and uploaded to a cloud, where they will be deleted after 31 days if it hasn’t been used as evidence. 

Trials using bodycams

Ms McEntee said, based on how other countries have used police bodycams, trials and convictions could happen quicker. 

“We have had and seen a significant increase in people pleading guilty earlier because the evidence is there,” she said. 

“You can imagine a Garda is called to a domestic violence incident, you come into a home and the first few moments, how people react, what they’re doing, is really important. 

“Statements might be retracted, people might change their mind but if you have someone who goes in and gathers that evidence, the impact that has on a case is vital.” 

Gardaí will also be required to explain why they have not used the bodycam when a crime was committed to ensure accountability, according to Ms McEntee. 

It is expected by the end of June, 350 to 400 Gardaí in Dublin will be fully trained to use bodycams.