Retired gardaí may be recalled to stations

Cormac O’Keeffe

Police chiefs will also investigate whether civilians such as private security staff could be used to deport foreign nationals.

The research projects are just two of 19 policy reviews to be carried out this year, outlined in the Garda Síochána Policing Plan 2005.

The study will examine if retired members could carry out tasks such as handing out various forms, such as motor tax and passport forms, and dealing with basic queries at public desks.

Researchers will also see if retired members could carry out the duty of inputting entries onto the PULSE computer system.

Gardaí have complained about the length of time it takes to input entries onto the system, during which time they are not able to carry out police work.

In a separate policy review, the Assistant Commissioner for the National Support Services will examine if non-gardaí could be used to escort non-Irish nationals being removed from the State.

Management is concerned both at the financial and opportunity cost of using gardaí in deportations, as the officers have to travel out and back on the charter flight carrying the deportees.