Policing Authority recommends 'radical change' in garda recruitment

Policing Authority says lack of resources affecting garda functions

A graduation ceremony at the Garda College, in Templemore this month. There have been measures to raise the annual capacity for recruits at Templemore from 800 to 1,000. File picture Stephen Collins/Collins Photos

“Radical change” is needed to Garda retention and recruitment to enable the organisation meet its existing functions, the policing oversight body has said.

Policing Authority chair Elaine Byrne also said the ongoing delay in the enactment of policing legislation has meant it has been unable to conduct competitions for senior Garda positions, with potentially “serious consequences” for the Garda senior leadership team.