Policing the police - Transparency is working for everyone

THE Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission launched its annual report for 2008 yesterday, the first full year covered by the body.

This country’s citizens and its police force should have enjoyed the protection offered by such an institution many, many years ago but, as we have seen with other powerful institutions in recent days, intrusion is seldom welcome if it’s to challenge a prevailing culture, one that traditionally shaped an authoritative, insular organisation.

Without a degree of oversight, and the knowledge that the force is accountable, it would be impossible for it to win the full, co-operative support of the community it exists to police and needs to be effective.