GARDAÍ ARE ASKING the public whether body-worn cameras should be rolled out to the whole force.

Body-worn cameras are video and audio-recording devices that can be attached to a garda’s clothing.

The garda can choose to switch on the device if they want to record something.

Over the last two years, body cams have been trialled in five garda stations: Store Street Station, Pearse Street Station and Kevin Street Station in Dublin city centre, as well as Henry Street Station in Limerick city and Waterford Garda Station.

The aim is to improve safety for members, reduce complaints of police misconduct, save time in court preparation and appearances and lower costs in relation to those.

An Garda Síochána also anticipates that recording interationcs will result in fewer challenges around arrests and provide better policing outcomes, along with increased professionalism and accountability within the force.

A team to accelerate the national rollout of bodycams has been established and an updated draft Code of Practice has been developed.

A form can be found on the garda website, where anyone can give their feedback on the draft Code of Practice. 

You can read more about the public consultation on the website here.

Feedback submissions must be submitted by 13th January 2026.

The use of bodycams by gardaí caused concern in the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL), which criticised the lack of an independent expert assessment of their use prior to a national rollout.

Joe O’Brien, Executive Director of ICCL, said: “The bodyworn cameras pilot has become what ICCL warned against – an opening to introduce new technology nationwide, without publishing pilot findings or carefully weighing up the evidence for and against.”

The Council also took issue with the most recent garda pilot project, which will see more than 100 gardaí given taser guns as part of a new six-month pilot project.

The Conductive Energy Devices (CEDs), also known as the brand name ‘taser’, are being introduced in regions where bodycams are already in use.

The ICCL said it is concerned about the use of what they described as “dangerous weapons” in situations involving vulnerable people.

“Their introduction into frontline community policing would completely change policing in Ireland, and the relationship between gardaí and local communities,” the Council said in a statement.

It referenced other countries, where tasers “have been repeatedly used against people experiencing mental health crises and in extreme cases have led to death”.