Gardaí welcome reform of promotion system

MIDDLE-RANKING gardaí yesterday welcomed moves by justice minister Michael McDowell to reward uniformed policing and reform the promotion system within the force.

However, the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) added that only time would tell whether the minister’s reforms would be as successful as planned.

Mr McDowell yesterday said he was concerned at reports — documented by the Garda Inspectorate — that gardaí believed the only way they could gain promotion was to leave uniformed police work and enter specialist garda units.