Gardaí in conference - A chance to commit to reform

The Garda Representative Association (GRA) opens its 36th annual conference in Killarney today. It is reasonable to say that none of the previous 35 conferences opened in an atmosphere as bristling as the one that prevails today.

These troubling circumstances are echoed in the reduced trust the public has in the force. This situation, which does not reflect the decency or commitment of the majority of gardaí, is unhealthy for the force and unacceptable to the public. This collapse is reflected by low morale across the 13,159-member force and raises issues which must be confronted if the gardaí are to once again play the vital part we all need them to play in our society. A seemingly unending litany of controversy and scandal, of shocking disclosure after shocking disclosure culminated with the resignation, though that hardly seems the right word, of former Garda commissioner Martin Callinan.

A deteriorating relationship with the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission and unacceptable treatment of whistleblowers all add to the sense of an organisation in freefall, one unable to meet the standards of professionalism and communication expected today.

This weakness was acknowledged recently by Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors general secretary John Redmond at their annual conference when he said that gardaí must become more professional. He said the AGSI recognised the need for professionalism in terms of public expectation, transparency and accountability.

Though Sophie Toscan du Plantier was murdered nearly 20 years ago the drip-drip revelations of scandalously corrupt garda behaviour, especially the intimidation and influencing of potential witnesses, has an ever more toxic impact on the image of the force. This weekend’s allegations about officers routinely altering official records will damage that reputation further.

As event after event, as disclosure after disclosure undermines the reputation of the force individual gardaí find themselves in ever more dangerous situations. The number of attacks on gardaí, and the severity of those attacks, is increasing. In 2011, 163 gardaí were victims of serious assaults. In the following year 174 were so attacked and last year that figure reached 225. These figures are in addition to the hundreds of minor assaults faced by gardaí. These attacks, and the escalating rate, are unacceptable but despite them most gardaí are committed to their work in an impressive way.

This litany of controversy has made it apparent that profound reform of the force and its management, external and internal, cannot wait any longer. The establishment of a policing authority is one of the most important challenges facing Government as is the selection of the next Garda commissioner. In the light of recent scandals the argument for the appointment of an external candidate as commissioner was never stronger. Garda education, especially that of potential officers, must be reviewed too. If the correct decisions are not made on these vital issues then everything else becomes more difficult. The insulation of the force from politicians’ needs or whims is also essential.

The Government has already indicated that it’s determined to reform the force, mid-ranking officers, through the AGSI, have acknowledged that need as have some, but not all, senior officers. The mood at this week’s GRA conference will show whether rank-and-file gardaí share that ambition. Let us all hope that they do.