Bratislava, June 22 (TASR) – Introducing cameras during police raids is a complicated process, and recordings must be stored somewhere, which necessitates the existence of a depository, said Interior Minister Denisa Sakova (Smer-SD) on Friday.
“It takes us slightly longer with regards to individual specifications and requirements from individual police organisational units,” stated Sakova.
The Interior Ministry definitely wants to introduce cameras. According to Sakova, audio, as well as video recordings will be made not only in the case of public order and riot police, but also traffic police. “The former police president declared that this project will be implemented within a short time,” she added.
The Interior Ministry’s press department has told TASR that the ministry is doing its best so that cameras will be put in operation during police action in the first half of 2019. Police dealing with public order should be the first to be equipped with cameras, as they come into close contact with people. This chiefly concerns police officers at district departments and emergency motorised units.
“We’re getting ready for it. The thorough testing of cameras in situ is now in its final stage. The Public Procurements Office is commenting on our tender documentation, and we’re incorporating its comments,” stated the press department.
“This form of documenting the activities of police officers has a very strong anti-corruption impact. It’s also important for protecting police officers, as their activities are often questioned in terms of what they do or don’t do,” said the ministry.
Former ombudsman Jana Dubovcova has called on the Interior Ministry to introduce cameras during police raids. This comes in response to several police raids in Roma settlements, such as the one in Budulovska near Moldava nad Bodvou in 2013 and the one in the village of Vrbnica (both Kosice region) in 2015.
Her successor Maria Patakyova sent a letter to the interior minister on Tuesday (June 19), the fifth anniversary of the police raid in Moldava nad Bodvou, asking her to deploy cameras during police activities immediately.
