Question for members of AGS re PULSE

punchestown

Folks,

A friend of mine is going for the PSNI. He applied previously to AGS but failed. In the course of his application to AGS, he filled out a form detailing previous convictions etc. This was back a few years when it was done in the station with help from the sergeant. He received a call a few weeks after to speak with the sergeant again. The Sergeant asked him about an incident where he was detained overnight in a city centre station, which my mate had absolutely no knowledge of and was 110% adamant it wasnt him. He said the sergeant accepted this and said he would clarify it with the station in charge. My mate contacted the station involved and they said they could not disclose any information. He subsequently heard nothing more in relation to the incident but failed the application in relation to his interview.
He is now wondering, having reached the vetting stage of PSNI, if there is any chance of obtaining the information that may be on PULSE about him or confirming that no such record of overnight detention exists on the system before he completes his vetting forms as something like this could damage his chances.

Thanks in advance

pa990

your friend needs to conatact the Commissioner in writing, and make an application under the data protection act for all information that the gardai have about him to be released (There may be a fee).

When he has this info in print, he can then bring to their attention what information is incorrect and demand that it be corrected.

It all has to be done in writing.. and registered post is even better

(beaten to it by met-man's more comprehensive answer)

Eru

I see no reason for being detained without charge to have a negative impact on his character only convictions and possible certain charges.

I also dont see any issue with someone asking for a quick search to be done on their behalf in a station, if you can prove who you are and have a genuine excuse I would do it anyway. Obviously I wouldnt let you see it and would only be looking for the overnight detention.

punchestown

Karlitosway1978 wrote: »

I see no reason for being detained without charge to have a negative impact on his character only convictions and possible certain charges.

I also dont see any issue with someone asking for a quick search to be done on their behalf in a station, if you can prove who you are and have a genuine excuse I would do it anyway. Obviously I wouldnt let you see it and would only be looking for the overnight detention.

Its a pity it wasnt you in the station when he called in as the garda at the hatch was completely unhelpful.

Eru

punchestown wrote: »

Its a pity it wasnt you in the station when he called in as the garda at the hatch was completely unhelpful.

If you did a full shift on a counter believe me, you wouldnt be in any mood for being helpful. Bigger stations not only get swamped with reports about their area and a **** load of paperwork from residents of the area thats doesnt need to be done by Gardai but also a lot of people coming in because they 'work nearby' or were 'shopping' or 'saw the station as I was passing', etc.

I can only take so many week old reports that happened in Donegal or Cork from people living on the other side of the country before the smile goes and Garda Ignorant shows up Im afraid. I have no doubt that there are just as many people saying how friendly and helpful I was as there is people saying how ignorant and rude I was.

punchestown

I can appreciate that Karlitos but my friend made a trek into town to the station in question (quite a trip) As you say, a quick check of the system would let my friend know whether there was anything to worry about but instead the Garda could not have been more unhelpful! Isnt there some stat about the number of people a person will tell of a bad experience as oppossed to the number they will tell of a good experience. AGS requires co-operation from the public. It should work both ways!

Just on a seperate issue, Im filling out a vetting application form. One question is 'Have you ever been convicted of an offence in the ROI or elsewhere?' Does that encorporate driving offences?
Thanks again

TheNog

punchestown wrote: »

Just on a seperate issue, Im filling out a vetting application form. One question is 'Have you ever been convicted of an offence in the ROI or elsewhere?' Does that encorporate driving offences?
Thanks again

A judge can only convict so if you were never in court then you have no convictions. Driving convictions (again in court) should be included in that part of the form.

donvito99

Dropped into A Garda station today looking for my phone and the Guard at the hatch was real helpful. He did have this ancient log kind of book though, no computers at the hatch in sight.

eroo

Had my bike stolen today.Gardai were very helpful.The Garda at the front office was very nice about it,as was the young Garda I stopped who was out on patrol.I found them helpful.

That being said,some people are just ignorant.Doesn't matter how much work you've been doing,there is no need to give off the impression you'd rather be somewhere else.A simple smile and basic manners can go along way,as I encountered today.