WATCH: Gardai roll out Body Worn Cameras in Waterford as part of 'Proof of Concept' pilot

Members of An Garda Siochana in Waterford have commenced the third and final phase of the ‘Proof of Concept’ pilot 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 this Thursday morning by the Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee to launch the third and final phase of a proof of concept for body worn cameras. 

The cameras being used in Waterford are Motorola Solutions V500 cameras and it is the first time this new camera has been deployed in Europe.

Body Worn Cameras have now been rolled out in five garda stations in Dublin, Limerick and Waterford and the total number of cameras available for use nationally is now 600.

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Nationally, to date there are in excess of 600 Gardaí fully trained in the use of Body Worn Cameras, with almost 150 gardaí fully trained in the use of the Motorola Solutions V500 Body Worn Cameras in Waterford.  

This camera has the capacity to store four days of data. It has one hundred and thirty [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 garda station where each member can take out a camera by swiping their RFID card. 

For the proof of concept in Waterford, 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 this Thursday's launch, Commissioner Drew Harris said the roll out of Body Worn Cameras in Waterford marks the final stage in An Garda Siochana's proof of concept phase and brings it 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,” he said.

The Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee added: "I am very pleased we are now extending the pilot phase to the third and final location to Waterford. We have already seen the impact of body worn cameras on policing operations in Dublin and Limerick. Gardaí equipped with the cameras have been able to capture footage of searches of dwellings which uncovered drugs and assist in the de-escalation of tensions during protests and incidents of disruption.

“I’m pleased that this technology will now be used and tested by frontline Gardaí here in Waterford. I look forward to hearing the results and I am sure the members here in Waterford will make valuable contributions to this pilot project.”