The portable cameras in the uniforms of the police officers are still late, since the technical terms are now being prepared and research is being carried out on the needs to determine them before the announcement of the relevant tender.
The legislation was passed by the Parliament on March 26, 2026, in an effort by the Ministry of Justice and Public Order, as well as the Police, to avoid malicious complaints against police officers, to protect citizens from police arbitrariness and to strengthen testimony in criminal cases. Information from "F" states that the technical specifications for the cameras are now being prepared, since they will be able to store the material recorded, while at the same time an investigation is being carried out for the needs of the Police. Because these are expensive items, the members of which departments will have to bring such cameras, while certainly in each Directorate they will be available for the police officers called to police for the policing of matches, events, etc.
It is not estimated that the tenders will be published soon, so it is doubtful whether the new legislation will be implemented within 2026.
The activation of a portable camera and its use to capture and record audio and image will be allowed in accordance with the law, for the arrest or search of a person, during the pursuit of any person or means of transport, for the arrest of a person or means of transport for a search and during its conduct and for the reporting of any offense in violation of any law of the Republic.
Also, portable cameras will be activated when entering a place for a search, including its conduct, upon arrival at the scene of a crime, in riots and mass episodes of violence.
In order for the capture and recording of material by portable cameras to be considered legal, the subject must be informed immediately after the activation of the portable camera, while at the same time they must emit a light signal, so that their operation is visually perceptible to the public. When activating the camera, the police officer should indicate the day, time and place where he is, as well as when completing the investigation.
The audiovisual material recorded will be destroyed in accordance with the provisions of the policy for the destruction of the witness material, which is determined by the Chief of Police by a relevant police order, with the consent of the competent police director or unit commander, when it is found that this is not related to and/or does not assist the investigation or prosecution of any offense. It is provided that this material is destroyed after the lapse of three months from the date on which the consent for its destruction was given and, in any case, no later than six months from the receipt of the relevant material.
