Roll-out of bodycams for Gardaí in Store Street district will deliver safer streets and stronger communities in the #NorthInnerCity – McAdam

The rollout of bodycams for Gardaí will protect our frontline heroes and deliver safer streets and stronger communities in the Store Street Garda district, said a Fine Gael Councillor.

Councillor McAdam welcomed the publication today by An Garda Síochána of a contract tender for body-warn cameras in an initial four city- based locations.

This follows the passing of key legislation last November which was introduced by Justice Minister Helen McEntee to provide Gardaí with this vital equipment to assist them in their duties.

Councillor McAdam said: “Over 2,000 Gardaí have been assaulted while on duty over the past seven years, and I’m very pleased that An Garda Siochana is tendering for the procurement of Body Worn Cameras (BWC) and Digital Evidence Management Systems (DEMS).

The procured equipment will first be introduced in the following locations:

• DMR South Central, Pearse Street Garda Station, Kevin Street Garda Station
• DMR North Central, Store Street Garda Station
• Waterford Division, Waterford Garda Station
• Limerick Garda Division, Henry Street Garda Station.

Councillor McAdam said “This is great news for Gardaí in Store Street who will have bodycams from April this year onwards.

Bodycams record footage to their own internal encrypted storage, which is uploaded when the Garda docks the device in the Garda station. The footage is then uploaded at the end of a shift so it can be used as evidence in court or is deleted after an agreed time period if it’s not required as evidence.

“The organisation said that a separate procurement process will take place designed to provide bodycams to all Gardaí in the North Inner City, which will be informed by the learnings of their operation in the first four city based locations.

“Based on experience from where bodycams are used internationally, it is expected that their introduction in the City Centre, East Wall, North Wall and the Sean McDermott Street areas will improve Garda safety, reduce challenges around arrests, reduce complaints of Garda misconduct and save time for court preparation and appearances, as well as lowering the costs of investigations and court appearances.

“Fine Gael and my colleague, Minister McEntee, are committed to delivering safer streets and stronger communities. This development will result in a better equipped, better resourced and better protected force to keep people and our communities safe,” Councillor McAdam concluded.