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An Garda Síochána, Ireland’s National Police and Security Service, has commenced the third and final phase of its ‘Proof of Concept’ for body worn cameras as well as the supporting Digital Evidence Management System (DEMS).
The Garda Commissioner, Drew Harris, was joined at Waterford Garda Station in Waterford City on September 5 by the Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee T.D to launch the Motorola Solutions V500 cameras. It marks the first time this new camera has been deployed in Europe.
This brings the number of stations using body worn cameras to five, and brings the total number of body worn cameras available for use nationally to 600.
To date, nationally, there are in excess of 600 Gardaí fully trained in their use, with almost 150 Gardaí fully trained in the use of the Motorola Solutions V500 Body Worn cameras in Waterford.
The camera has the capacity to store four days of data. It has a 130-degree field of vision and has 12 hours of battery life, ensuring that it will last for a full shift of duty.
The body worn cameras will be housed in their own docking room in Waterford station where each member can take out a camera by swiping their RFID card.
For this proof of concept, plain clothes members will be engaged in the use of body worn cameras, with members attached to the Crime Unit, Drugs Unit and Detectives attached to the Divisional Protective Services Unit involved in their use.
At today’s launch, Commissioner Drew Harris said, ” Today’s launch marks the final stage in our proof of concept phase which brings us one step closer to the implementation of Information-Led Policing.
“It follows extensive consultation with over 20 other police services around the world and the commencement of the Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Act 2023 – which includes the Codes of Practice for their operation.
“The proof of concept will continue with a period of analysis and engagement with the frontline members. This will help us to understand and evaluate the cameras and Digital Evidence Management System. We will also continue to engage with the DPP to assess how this video evidence can be utilised in the prosecution of cases through the Courts.”
The industry will once again be gathering at the NEC, Birmingham for The Emergency Services Show, co located with The Emergency Tech Show on 18-19 September, where Motorola Solutions will be sponsoring the Policing Stage. Check out the full exhibitor list here.
