Garda HQ admits 'concern' at rate of resignations

Garda HQ said that the rate of resignations is a lot lower than British police forces. File picture

Garda HQ has said resignations of members is of “concern” for the organisation and that a range of measures are being taken to try and address it.

In a statement, it said it has so far conducted 27 voluntary exit interviews with gardaí who had resigned since the middle of this year. It said issues raised in the interviews are being “addressed”, where they are “under the control” of An Garda Síochána.

Garda HQ was responding to figures on resignations published in today’s Irish Examiner.

They show that 156 members have so far resigned from the organisation and that this is expected to rise to 164 by the end of this month. It compares to 109 for all of last year, 94 in 2021 and 70 in 2020.

The Garda Representative Association said the organisation is not dealing with the issues leading gardaí to leave the force: "The failure of Garda Management to address the issues affecting the low morale of members, such as level of administration, lack of training, over-reliance on discipline is shown by the level of resignations and retirements, which looks set to increase in 2024.”

Responding, Garda HQ said: “While people leave organisations for a variety of reasons, any resignation is of concern to An Garda Síochána. 

"An Garda Síochána has conducted 27 voluntary exit interviews with Gardaí since mid-2023. A thematic report will be produced when sufficient information is available. The issues raised from these interviews that are under our control are being addressed.” 

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It said that information from the interviews and the views of Garda staff associations are also informing An Garda Síochána’s Recruitment and Retention Strategy.

Garda HQ pointed out that all four Garda associations—representing four different ranks—are part of the Garda Recruitment and Retention Strategy Group. The statement said the exit interviews are conducted by a chartered occupational physiologist.

Garda HQ said that the rate of resignations is a lot lower than British police forces: “As stated on many occasions before, the resignation rate of gardaí from the organisation, while increasing, accounts for approximately 1% of the total Garda workforce.

“An Garda Síochána’s level of resignations is far below those experienced by UK police services (approximately 10%) and far below those experienced by the private sector (10- 20%).” 

It added: “Post covid-19, police services in the US, New Zealand, and Canada have all reported an increase in resignations in excess of the Garda resignation rate.” It said Ireland is currently experiencing full employment and that qualified gardaí have opportunities for employment in the private sector.

The statement said international police services, recognising the quality of members of An Garda Síochána, are actively recruiting in Ireland and England. It further pointed out that some gardaí who are subject of internal discipline opt to leave the organisation.

“As shown from recent intakes of Garda trainees in the Garda College, An Garda Síochána is also attracting back potential gardaí from the UK, Canada and Australia,” the statement said.

It said that based on feedback from gardaí, An Garda Síochána has introduced a range of measures in recent years to support front-line gardaí including:

• An increase in personal safety equipment – this will shortly include stronger incapicitant spray being provided to all Gardaí 
• An increase in welfare and mental health supports 
• A significant increase in front-line supervisors – Sergeants and Inspectors 
• A modern operational uniform
• Leading technology such as the mobility app that allows Gardaí conduct policing tasks while out of station 
• The largest fleet in the organisation’s history 
• Major investment in new and refurbished stations