Modern Policing

The camera does not lie

The camera does not lie

Gardaí have called for the protection afforded by body worn video in the context of assaults on members; limited deployment is on the way writes Brendan O’Connor. The Commission on the Future of Policing recommended (in its 2018 report) that video recording devices or ‘body worn cameras’ be deployed by An Garda Síochána, finding; “modern policing organisations around the world […]

by · June 21, 2021 · Modern Policing
One door opens, another closes

One door opens, another closes

Frontline members of An Garda Síochána now have access to the industrial relations mechanism of the State so all is well, right? Ciarán O’Neill investigates In 2016 representatives from the main Garda Associations sought parity with other public service workers and sought access to the State’s Industrial Relations mechanisms, these being the Workplace Relations Commission and the Labour Court. The […]

by · February 4, 2021 · Features, Modern Policing
The hood, the bad and the ugly

The hood, the bad and the ugly

The death of Daniel Prude in the U.S. in March, has brought the use of anti-spit guards, or ‘Spit-hoods’ as they are sometimes referred to, under renewed scrutiny. Jeff Kenny considers their controversial use It is reported that Daniel Prude died as a result of asphyxiation after being restrained by police using a ‘spit hood’ in the U.S. Seven police […]

by · October 4, 2020 · Modern Policing
Glass Houses

Glass Houses

The ongoing war on racism in the U.S. incited by the death of George Floyd invites us, as a nation, to look at ourselves says Rebecca Connolly We may all look on in disgust and disbelief at the systemic racism against people of colour in the United States, and rightly so; but discrimination is not uncommon in Ireland either – […]

by · August 15, 2020 · Modern Policing
Why the long face?

Why the long face?

Claire Keogh examines the evolution of facial expression and involuntary communication Facial expressions are used by people to convey various types of meaning in different contexts. The range of purposes spans basic possible innate socio-emotional concepts such as ‘surprise’ to elaborate and culture-specific ideas such as ‘careless’. Of course, facial expressions and emotions may happen without any particular purpose of […]

by · June 3, 2020 · Modern Policing
How will digital policing empower the Frontline?

How will digital policing empower the Frontline?

As new devices or ‘mobile data centres’ are rolled out to gardaí countrywide this year to detect roadside traffic offences, Simon Hall examines the endless possibilities in this digital policing space Earlier this year the National Police Technology Council and the Police ICT Company announced the UK’s first national strategy for police IT. While the National Policing Digital Strategy: Digital, […]

by · March 15, 2020 · Modern Policing, Technology
To arm or not to arm…

To arm or not to arm…

Just how rare is Ireland in having an unarmed police force? Kamila Lewandowska takes a quick jaunt around the globe The concept of unarmed police may be surprising, not to say shocking, for many people living outside Ireland, Iceland, Norway, Great Britain and New Zealand. Those five nations incorporated the model of policing where frontline officers don’t carry a weapon. […]

by · February 15, 2020 · Features, Modern Policing
The police personality

The police personality

How do you ensure that potential candidates are suitable for a career in a police force? Tara Geraghty considers In the USA there is great emphasis placed on the use of psychological screening in the recruitment process of potential police officers. In fact, a person’s performance in the psychological evaluation process can make or break their chances of being accepted […]

by · February 15, 2020 · Modern Policing
Security – it’s a national issue

Security – it’s a national issue

Ireland’s inaugural National Security Summit will be held in February 2020. Its founder, Gerry Waldron, explains its history and purpose The National Security Summit Ireland was launched in September 2019, with a series of interesting and provocative presentations and a panel discussion on ‘Protecting Democracy in the age of disinformation’. The event was a warm-up for ‘Slándáil 2020,’ Ireland’s inaugural […]

by · January 28, 2020 · Modern Policing
Mind your language

Mind your language

Is there still really a need for the Irish language requirement to join An Garda Síochána asks Ciarán O’Neill? In September 2005, the then Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Michael Mc Dowell amended the academic requirements for new entrants into An Garda Síochána. He stated that the requirement to have an academic qualification in Irish had effectively ruled […]

by · January 13, 2020 · Features, Modern Policing