Garda reserve - Minister and gardaí must start talking

IT would be unfortunate if the war of words between gardaí and Justice Minister Michael McDowell was to derail plans for a reserve police force.

In principle, the concept of such a force, staffed by the man and woman in the street, has a lot going for it and deserves to win a broad measure of support from An Garda Siochána.

Arguably, such a force could also play a major role in helping to bridge the growing gulf between gardaí and local communities.