Gardaí call for better training and equipment
The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) described the recommendations as “eminently sensible and practical”. “They should all be put in place right now,” the association’s general secretary Joe Dirwan said.
The Garda Inspectorate, which is headed by three former police officers from the US and Canada, and acts as official advisor on garda reform, this week made 84 recommendations to improve the force’s ability to deal with siege and hostage situations, arising from the Abbeylara tragedy in 2000.
Many of the recommendations focus on improved safety equipment and enhanced weapons training for all gardaí, including the issuing of bullet-proof vests and pepper spray to all gardaí on the beat, as well as regular specialist training in the techniques of on-scene command for higher ranked gardaí.
Mr Dirwan said these were the priority for action but he also urged the immediate provision of dedicated firing ranges for gardaí, as they currently have to share army facilities and have to travel long distances for shooting practice.
He also backed the inspectorate in calling for a proper digital radio communications system to replace the existing outdated walkie-talkies. Gardaí have complained they have such poor reception at times that they are forced to use their private mobile phones.
“The changes recommended recognise the dramatic changes which are taking place in frontline policing in terms of increased use of firearms and other weapons and the measures needed to protect both the members of an Garda Síochána and the public,” Mr Dirwan said.
“We echo also the report’s criticisms of the facts that there are no criteria for selection for the scene commanders’ course, that the participant appraisals are insufficiently robust and that there is no certification on completion of the course.
“All these matters should be in place, as should the report’s call for the actual scene commanders to beselected only from those who have successfully completed the course.”
Assistant Commissioner Nacie Rice has been appointed to oversee the implementation of the report but Mr Dirwan urged the inspectorate to monitor progress and carry out a review after a suitable interval of time.
“We will also be asking the commissioner to include the representative associations on the working group to implement the report,” he added.
The garda representative association said yesterday it would make no formal response to the report until it was considered at the association’s executive meeting next week.
