'Emboldened' far right and increased risk of attacks are major issues facing frontline cops ahead of Garda conference | 83H1FWI | 2024-04-28 00:08:01
THE "emboldened" far-right, assaults and intimidation are some of the big challenges frontline gardai face ahead of a major conference this week.
The Garda Representative Association holds its annual conference from Tuesday in Westport, Co Mayo.
And for the first time ever it has decided not to extend an invitation to Commissioner Drew Harris, which in turn saw Justice Minister Helen McEntee snub the event as she backed the top cop.
The GRA described the decision by Ms McEntee as "baffling" and added that it may blur the lines for its members and the public of the "separation of powers between the Oireachtas and the senior management of the Gardai, which is a key element in any democracy".
The association's President Brendan O'Connor will tell delegates this week that its overwhelming vote of no confidence in Commissioner Harris last year gained a new level of respect with the force's management.
That move came on foot of a row over a new Garda roster, but also issues which were impacting its members' work/life balance and officers feeling abandoned as resignations hit an all-time high.
Mr O'Connor, a Donegal-based garda who is heading into his final conference as President, will say that it saw proper engagement with headquarters on the key issues including rosters. However, he'll tell how challenges remain, with an escalation of assaults and intimidation.
The pressure is compounded by the use of online and in-person threats along with the "emboldened far right", which all contribute to making their job even tougher.
These issues came into focus as widespread riots broke out on the streets of Dublin last November.
Gardai were attacked and and squad cars were set on fire by mobs who descended on the city to cause mayhem.
Mr O'Connor will also raise issues around overzealous garda management oversight.
He will say the use of "internal discipline as a training tool makes many of our members second guess our policing methods".
<!-- End of Brightcove Player --> The GRA believes its officers based in crime-ridden areas are often afraid to pursue suspects in fear of being prosecuted themselves.
As garda management push the slogan, 'it's a job worth doing', as part of its recruitment campaign, the GRA's theme for its conference will be, 'it's a job worth protecting.'
In a bid to tackle the recruitment and retention crisis the force currently faces, a motion from the Central Executive Committee will call the Garda Commissioner and the Minister for Justice to introduce a long service increment for members for 20 years' service to encourage members to remain in the job.
More judges needed
As it stands, there are around 14,000 gardai which is at a similar level to 2007 but the population has increased by 650,000 since.
The Dublin Metropolitan Region will also call on the Government to appoint extra judges to address the ever increasing backlog in the judicial review system.
It will also hear motions on pay and future negotiations, along with pensions, training and discipline.
More >> https://ift.tt/BlmckVu Source: MAG NEWS