Garda unions seek meeting on ‘disbandment’ of drugs unit
The move follows the sudden decision to re-deploy all six members of the Waterford District Drug Unit last Monday evening.
Members of the unit - one of the most successful drug squads in the country - were not given any reason for the decision.
A spokesperson for garda management said the unit had not been disbanded and that management had decided to “rotate” its personnel. The spokesperson said it was part of an established rotation policy in the region and that the outgoing members would be replaced with other gardaí.
Garda sources in Waterford claim there is no established rotation policy in the region and that none of the other plain clothes units in the district had been rotated.
It is understood that representatives from the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors - representing middle-ranking officers - and the Garda Representative Association - representing rank and file gardaí - will seek discussions with local management over the decision. If the matter is not resolved locally, the associations could take it up with Garda Headquarters.
Garda sources have commented on poor working relationships and internal wranglings within the division for a number of years.
Garda sources have said the decision to suddenly re-deploy an entire unit was highly unusual.
Insiders have also pointed to the success of the unit in recent years. The Garda Annual Report 2002 showed there were 950 drug offences recorded in the Waterford/Kilkenny division - the highest number in the country.
Of these, 905 people were to be prosecuted - again the highest rate in the country.
Concern has been expressed as to how garda drug operations will be affected in the area, given the loss of the experience and criminal contacts of the outgoing unit.
A garda spokesman has assured the public that gardaí would continue to provide a dedicated service to the people of Waterford.
