Andorra Traffic Agents' Body Cameras Await Final Approval

The deployment of body cameras for Andorra's traffic agents awaits final approval from the National Video Surveillance Commission. Xavier Fernàndez, Encamp's minor consul and president of the inter-parish traffic commission, shared this update during the 19th annual traffic agents' day, hosted in Andorra la Vella.

Fernàndez noted that the project has progressed more slowly than anticipated, involving sensitive issues. Only the communes of La Massana and Encamp have approved the necessary regulations after spending over a year developing them and assessing data protection impacts with delegates. These reports are now under review by the commission, which has requested modifications. "We are working on this; they send us requirements, we make changes and send them back until we get the OK," Fernàndez said. No specific timeline exists for the minister of Justice and Interior's signature, but he added that once one commune succeeds, others will follow more easily.

Xavier Surana, Andorra la Vella's traffic councillor and event host, said all communes are preparing internal protocols, though without a set rollout date. He described the cameras as a positive tool offering greater security for agents and citizens.

The event also highlighted professionalisation as the sector's key challenge. The inter-parish commission is developing a unified basic training plan for all 215 agents across the seven communes, followed by parish-specific courses. Surana stressed the need for more training, equipment and tools to address complex daily tasks.

On salaries, each commune sets its own pay scales, leading to retention issues and inter-commune moves in some cases. Both leaders downplayed economic factors, pointing instead to proximity and residence as common reasons for transfers. Andorra la Vella recently received seven applications for new agent positions and is hiring administrators to free up operatives for street duties.

The day began with a solemn mass at Sant Esteve church, followed by flag honours in Plaça del Poble, a group photo and speeches at the Congress Centre auditorium. Speakers praised agents' public service role, with Fernàndez citing a 2022 Pas de la Casa incident where two Encamp agents aided a tourist family after a serious accident involving their underage daughter. Minister Ester Molné commended coordination with police and firefighters.

Awards went to trainees completing basic courses, trainers, long-serving agents (15, 20 and 25 years) and posthumously to Damià Pineño, who died two years ago after advancing agent training and legislation. Thanks were extended to Mossos d'Esquadra commissioner Joan Carles Molinero for collaboration.