Police authority ‘should include ex-gardaí, judges’

The planned police authority should include former gardaí, judges, and professionals including mediation and human resource experts, according to mid-ranking officers.

The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors is also calling for major changes in how the Garda Ombudsman carries out its investigations, claiming members are being treated as “second-class citizens”.

AGSI pointed out that they have been proposing a Garda authority for the last 16 years, long before the Government’s sudden announcement in March, on the back of the Garda controversies.

Donegal delegate John Gallagher said the authority should be independent and separate from the Government, including “professional people with life experiences”, such as judges, mediation and HR experts, and people with police experience. However, he said there should be “no rush” to bring it in, and that it should be researched and analysed.

John Jacob, AGSI deputy general secretary, said the Government should look at models abroad but should devise an authority that suited policing in Ireland.

Laois Offaly delegate Tony Quinn proposed a motion that gardaí being investigated by the Garda Ombudsman should be told what the complaint is about and who had made it.

“Given the recent controversy involving the two organisations, we feel it is time to withdraw co-operation with GSOC and not be so accommodating to their needs — let them carry out their investigations — don’t ask members of this association to do their work for them,” he said.

Ernie White of the national executive said: “We are citizens and we should not be treated like second-class citizens.”