With the drug drive testing roll out, Robert Block takes a look at the true effectiveness of drug driving enforcement The introduction of legislation to combat drug driving, namely the amendments found in the Road Traffic Act, 2016, is a significant conceptual evolution in how the gardaí tackle driving offences. Whereas the focus had primarily been on alcohol as […]
Gardaí have to consider the mental health of those they encounter every day – but what of their own mental well-being asks John O’Keeffe On a day-to-day basis, members of An Garda Síochána are tasked with the most onerous of jobs. We require them to be social workers, counsellors, psychologists and also police officers. They are routinely abused by a […]
EDITORIAL: The particular challenge facing any public sector trade union or staff association is that they are necessarily in constant conflict with government; either asking for something that the powerful do not wish to give, or rejecting an imposition from the elite. That is why unity and solidarity are key elements; because workers’ collectives have a requirement to speak with one […]
EDITORIAL: The Garda Representative Association [GRA] advocated for an independent authority to separate policing from politics; not to deny our elected political leaders the opportunity to debate and the right to legislate on policing, but so that they were not seen to exert undue influence on appointments and operational matters. This is a delicate balance that is at the very heart […]
EDITORIAL: The Garda Representative Association received the final Report by John Horgan and is examining the implications in preparation for future negotiations towards new industrial relations mechanisms in the garda sector. The Association had sought such a Review for many years – as the last significant appraisal was held in 1979; and this was negotiated as part of the Haddington […]
When it comes to eyewitness reporting, such evidence may not be as reliable as is believed writes Nicola Mitchell. In 1985 in the US state of Wisconsin, Steven Avery was convicted of the sexual assault of Penny Ann Bernsteen. He was jailed for 32 years based on Bernsteen’s identification of Avery as her assailant, despite Avery’s defence producing 16 alibi […]
After a lengthy public service embargo the competition is tough for promotion and lateral appointments. Sergeant Paul Franey presents a road map for success. The sergeants list was published in May; if your name wasn’t on the list it’s time to start planning the next stage in your career progression. Leaving it to luck, chance or a simple belief it […]
Dealing with the public is never an easy task; when you are a garda, further challenges can arise writes Karl Melvin. When dealing with the public it is imperative to remain calm and objective despite the overwhelming emotion that might be projected onto you as a garda. Exposure to intense levels of stress, psychological trauma, substance overload and/or societal pressures, […]
Investigating the serious crime of sexual assault or rape is perhaps one of the most challenging jobs that confronts police forces advises Nicola Mitchell. Rape is a serious violent crime perpetrated overwhelmingly by men against women, children, and men. It is the most underreported of all violent crime in the US with only 16-39% of rapes being reported. In England […]
The debate on firearms use has been ongoing since the establishment of the Garda Síochána writes Darren Martin. The Garda Síochána is predominately an unarmed uniformed police force which has served and protected its citizens through the early years of the State, emerging from the violent struggle post-independence, the establishment of the Free State, the civil war, the threats posed […]
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