The newspaper found that the GNR only have 67 photographic devices available for use across the country while the PSP declined to disclose the number they have for officers.
The use of personal equipment by the police is reported by several trade union leaders of the GNR and PSP at a time when the General Inspectorate of Internal Administration (IGAI) is calling for officers to photograph crime and accident scenes more frequently to aid with transparency in cases.
The chairman of the National Police Union, Armando Ferreira, told Público that he agrees with the recommendation of IGAI to document scenes using photographs and said that he regrets that there is no equipment to enforce this. “Many police safeguard themselves with their own mobile phones or their own cameras. In the absence of provided equipment, they are the first to use their own devices, “he concluded.