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GARDAÍ IN LIMERICK are starting to wear body cameras that can record footage while showing on a display screen the video that is being captured.
More than 100 gardaí at Limerick’s Henry Street station have been trained to wear the “Reveal” cameras, which have a screen on their face that shows the footage being taken when recording is activated.
Garda management are hoping that the cameras will help to de-escalate tense situations and deter criminal offences.
The cameras have a 120-degree field of vision and have a battery life that can record up to 12 hours of footage.
The use of body cameras was recommended by the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland and gardaí are introducing their use in three phases, with today’s roll-out in Limerick marking the start of the second phase. Another station in Waterford city is to be added next months.
The first phase started in Dublin in May, with nearly 400 gardaí trained in their use and 200 cameras available in Pearse Street, Kevin Street, and Store Street stations.
Speaking at the launch in Limerick today, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said that the “ability of An Garda Síochána to securely acquire and process digital evidence is a key feature of modern policing”.
“We know that other jurisdictions have experienced significant benefits in respect of member safety and public safety since the introduction of body worn cameras and we are already seeing their effectiveness in the three proof of concept stations in Dublin North Central and Dublin South Central, where they have been in use for the past eight weeks now,” Harris said.
“Personnel have noted situations which might ordinarily escalate have actually de-escalated due to the presence of a garda with a body worn camera,” he said.
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Good aul Ireland always catching up on the rest of the world..
That they seem to de-escalate situations is a good thing. With their behaviour plain for everyone to see, even thugs must realise a sob story won’t work as an excuse.
Its amazing that security personal have been wearing these for years. But the gardai are only using them now
@liam mc meel: security personnel wear them because both they and their employer realises the value of bodycams and most employers insist on it. Garda must rely on permission from their management and because they’re a state body there’s also legal issues that private security don’t have.
The full force of the law needs to be brought down on these racist thugs. The family of Natalie McNally have been WALKING for 5 days to raise awareness of her murder by a NATIVE irish. But i guess he wasn’t melanated enough. ARREST THESE THUGS
@9QRixo8H: What is your opinion on the innocent children stabbed last year, Peadar? I only ask because you are constantly talking about race. In this case, the little kids were stabbed by a failed asylum seeker from Algeria who somehow managed to remain in the country without doing a day’s work in all his years here, just getting dole etc. Tell us what you think about that.
An Garda Síochána, welcome to 2005.
We should have no Garda or jail as such 1st legalise drugs the war will never be won the money saved go into prevention of other crimes and support for survivors.
Have recorded CCTV everywhere you are a victim of crime there be a crime prevention hub you go you give the time and date of the crime within 90 days, where the evidence will be assign to a crime prevention officer whom will track the criminal via CCTV and make an arrest.
On conviction no jail strict community service with benefits or wages garnished for x amount of time.
For all serious crimes 18 months jail to appeal if still guilty DP.
@Be Lucky: How would CCTV cameras deal with public order disturbances that pose a real and immediate danger to people and property ?
You haven’t thought this through, have you ?
@Be Lucky: wow, you’ve nailed it………….
@Be Lucky: You need to take this well thought out and completely fool proof idea straight to the top! I for one can’t pick any holes in it.
@James:
@Be Lucky:
Coming to a cinema near you.
@Be Lucky:
1. Who will deal with suicides, traffic accidents, riots, real time violent incidents, criminal gangs, missing persons and anyone committing a crime with a balaclava?
2. Who will compile the photo database that your CCTV will be compared to? What if the cctv suspect does not have their pic in the Database.
3. Who will enforce Court Orders to make these guys turn up in court, re arrest them to make sure they do their community service.
4. Without Cops, Criminal gangs will flourish with the decent people afraid to go outside. Do you really want to live in a Mad Max society?
5. Whatever your opinion of cops, any sane person can see that society would be unlivable without them
have your say