Gardaí warn of major retention crisis with 345% increase in people leaving force since 2016

Gardaí are spending more time 'sitting behind a computer inputting stats on a computer system instead of being out on the streets, patrolling, serving the people, out communicating with the people and listening to the people’s issues', AGSI conference told.

Retention is now a major problem for gardaí, with a 345% increase in people leaving the force since 2016.

Sergeant Kevin Sexton of Castlerea told the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors annual conference that an increased workload and more time spent sitting at a computer instead of out doing police work on the streets was contributing to the problem.