Reserves are going ahead, garda chief warns force
And the Minister for Justice Michael McDowell warned the garda associations they risked “self-destruction” if they pursued their policy of non-cooperation.
In his most public backing of the reserve to date, Commissioner Noel Conroy said the body would improve the police service provided to the community.
He said the joint policy of non-cooperation by the Garda Representative Association (GRA) and the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) would not stop him implementing it.
“The one thing we all must realise is that the legislature has legislated.
“We must comply with the legislation,” said Mr Conroy.
“The elected politicians have made a decision and the decision is that a reserve would be recruited and that’s what’s exactly about to happen.”
Mr Conroy said he supported the reserve: “I have said from day one anything that improves the service to the community I’m for it and I feel this will improve the service that we give to the community.”
He also defended himself against strong criticism from the GRA that his leadership had been “absent” from the issue.
“I’m expressing the views of management generally of An Garda Síochána.
“The GRA and AGSI have a problem in relation to the reserve, but there’s a lot of talking to be done and my door is open.”
Mr Conroy and Mr McDowell were speaking in England at the national conference of the UK Special Constabulary - a volunteer body upon which the reserve is based.
Both members of the full-time police and the Special Constabulary said they had a good relationship and that the volunteers did crucial work such as community policing.
Chief Constable Peter Fahy, who is responsible for the Special Constabulary, said it would be “incredibly difficult” for the Garda Reserve to work if there was a policy of non-cooperation by the garda associations.
Responding, Mr McDowell said: “I want to say this to everybody in An Garda Síochána of whatever rank. When you joined the force you made a solemn oath to uphold the laws.
“That oath in the last analysis is inconsistent with any policy of non-cooperation.”
He said: “If anyone believes they could, through a policy of non-cooperation, kill off the wishes of the democratically elected parliament in our country they would be gravely mistaken.”
He warned the associations they could be “excoriated” by the public if they treated the reservists badly.
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