Gardaà who delete or conceal footage from their body cameras will face up to five years in prison under proposed legislation.
The penalty is detailed in the general scheme of the Garda SÃochána (Digital Recording) Bill which was approved by Cabinet this week. The Bill will form the basis for the Gardaâs use of body-cameras and other recording devices such as mobile phones and drones.
Gardaà are expected to receive body cameras in 2022 after a code of conduct on their use is drawn up by Commissioner Drew Harris.
Once passed, the legislation will make it a criminal offence to falsify, conceal, destroy âor otherwise dispose of evidenceâ gathered by a body-worn camera. It will also be a crime to knowingly damage or destroy a body-worn camera.
Filming of gardaí poses threat to their safety
Call by garda representatives to stop footage being used online to target members comes as a bill that would allow gardaí to wear body cameras is introduced to Cabinet
Gardaí have raised concerns about the public turning the camera on them.
Tue, 27 Apr, 2021 - 08:48
Liz Dunphy
The public s filming of gardaí is leading to serious threats to officers safety as their images and home addresses are being shared online alongside calls for people to attack them.
The call by garda representatives to stop the footage being used to target their members comes at the same time as it has been claimed that plans to allow gardaí to wear cameras while policing could change the relationship between the individual and the State and erode civil liberties.
Garda body cameras likely to be used only in potential confrontations Access to footage will be strictly controlled under proposals being considered
about 2 hours ago
An example of a body camera used by police in the UK. Photograph: iStock
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Garda body cameras will not record all the time and will instead only be activated by gardaí in certain situations, under a new system being considered by management.
The introduction of body cameras was recommended by the Commission on the Future of Policing in 2018 and is supported by many gardaí. However, the recommendation also prompted privacy concerns from civil liberties campaigners.
Cabinet to see bill allowing for use of body-worn cameras by gardaí
The bill is expected to be enacted next year. By Rónán Duffy Monday 26 Apr 2021, 9:56 AM 1 hour ago 5,690 Views 18 Comments
Image: Shutterstock
Image: Shutterstock
THE CABINET WILL tomorrow see the draft of a new bill that will allow for the use of overt body-worn cameras by gardaí.
The Garda Síochána (Digital Recording) Bill will also include provisions governing the use of community-based CCTV systems.
The proposal for gardaí to use body-worn cameras was a recommendation made in the report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland.
Gardai are to wear body cameras under new laws being brought before Government this month According to the Sunday Independent, under the new law, cameras will have to be visible on officers clothing.
The Digital Recording bill, which will legalise the use of the cameras, is being backed by garda unions.
However there are concerns that they will breach people s right to privacy.
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