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 […]
Declan Smyth outlines the close link between the census and policing Members of An Garda Síochána delivered and collected forms in the first census taken by the Irish Free State in 1926; as the police force had done in Ireland under British jurisdiction since 1821. The role of the Force was rolled back for the 1951 census when postmen were […]
The third general secretary of the Garda Representative Association has quietly retired, but not without leaving his own stamp on the Garda organisation, writes Neil Ward. PJ Stone retired on February 2nd 2016 after more than forty years’ service to An Garda Síochána; but it will not be his policing skills that he will be remembered for – but his […]
There are benefits to lifelong learning for members through third-level and in-service training courses writes Darren Martin. The Garda College never closed in the last few years; in-service training courses did continue. The college is now seeing the return of new garda members for the first time in many years, with an impressive number of people who still wish to […]
Facebook
Twitter
Email us
