Garda Síochána may be forced to recruit abroad
At a time when Australia is trying to recruit gardaí to move Down Under, the gardaí may also begin to trawl abroad for new members.
Minister for Justice Michael McDowell recently announced the Government’s desire to see greater representation of ethnic minorities in the Garda Síochána at the most recent garda graduation in Templemore.
A spokesman for the department said yesterday that the initial recruitment campaign in September will endeavour to attract members of various ethnic communities to enter Templemore Training College as recruits and undergo the normal training given to gardaí. However, if necessary, the spokesman said, the garda authorities, with the agreement of the minister, will be able to recruit trained police officers abroad.
It is estimated that by 2015, 10% of the population in Ireland will be of Chinese origin. More than 80,000 Eastern Europeans have travelled here for work in the past 12 months.
The spokesman said: “There is an option in the new Garda Síochána Act to bring in officers from other police forces. This would be done in consultation between the Commissioner and the minister who can make the necessary regulation. But the option now is to get in recruits from ethnic minorities to Templemore. The minister will shortly bring proposals on revised eligibility criteria for entry to the gardaí to government. These proposals are necessary to make entry to the gardaí more accessible for members of the ethnic community.”
Paul Browne, of the Garda Representative Association national executive, said they would in principle welcome the recruitment of trained police officers from abroad to give greater representation to ethnic minorities in the force.
“We would have no difficulty with this. At the end of the day you are looking for experienced people. It would be a help to the Garda Síochána. But the pay and conditions here might be against it. The pay and conditions here don’t compare well with police forces elsewhere. The Australians are offering gardaí very good salaries for five- and ten-year contracts.”
