Garda Discourtesy & Ombudsman

chatterboks

I have been on the receiving end of Garda discourtesy on 5-6 occasions . In some cases I was rightly pulled over for driving too agressively and deserved either a ticket or a stern warning. In other cases it was simply a checkpoint. But what all these incidences, involving different gardai in different corners of the country, shared in common was an agressive, condescending attitute and in 2 cases I felt tried to provoke a reaction/response, the result of which Im sure would have been a ticket. I have had an equal number of interactions with very pleasant guards but a 50/50 split is surely unacceptable? If I am in the wrong I have no problem accepting a ticket but what I dont accept is any discourtesy that goes with it or instead of the ticket. Is this another typical irish problem which arises from our flexible/subjective attitudes to rules & regulations? (Recent revelations about bankers, builders, planning, politicians comes to mind.)

Anyone out there ever get a satisfactory response from the Garda Ombudsman following a complaint of discourtesy? From reviewing recent published stats of complaints the problem is growing but there appears to be no recourse. Admittedly in the overall scheme of things this is trivial compared to, for instance, corruption among gardai in donegal. I'd imagine most times its a guards word against the complainant, problem goes away but never really addressed. Does anyone else think this needs to be addressed.

Gonzales

Hi,
while annoying, you're dead right, it's trivial small stuff.

Try taking the approach of "dropping the rope". If theres no one on the other end of the rope the Guard cannot engage in tug of war with you.

Be super nice & hyper co-operative in a most sincere manners, not in a sneery snyde or sarcastic way, really mean it, this should go someway to stifling a persons bad attitude, unless the person is a Psychopath.

just out of interest, you could search "police brutality" on you tube, then you'll see some real discourtesy.

...move along now.:)

TheNog

chatterboks wrote: »

I have been on the receiving end of Garda discourtesy on 5-6 occasions . In some cases I was rightly pulled over for driving too agressively and deserved either a ticket or a stern warning. In other cases it was simply a checkpoint. But what all these incidences, involving different gardai in different corners of the country, shared in common was an agressive, condescending attitute and in 2 cases I felt tried to provoke a reaction/response, the result of which Im sure would have been a ticket. I have had an equal number of interactions with very pleasant guards but a 50/50 split is surely unacceptable? If I am in the wrong I have no problem accepting a ticket but what I dont accept is any discourtesy that goes with it or instead of the ticket. Is this another typical irish problem which arises from our flexible/subjective attitudes to rules & regulations? (Recent revelations about bankers, builders, planning, politicians comes to mind.)

If you feel you have a valid then by all means make one with the Ombudsman.

Anyone out there ever get a satisfactory response from the Garda Ombudsman following a complaint of discourtesy? From reviewing recent published stats of complaints the problem is growing but there appears to be no recourse. Admittedly in the overall scheme of things this is trivial compared to, for instance, corruption among gardai in donegal. I'd imagine most times its a guards word against the complainant, problem goes away but never really addressed. Does anyone else think this needs to be addressed.

As regards to the number of complaints, well at times it doesnt matter what is done it is never enough. Some complaints are real, some are frivilous and some are vexatious. The stats on the GSOC site but show these but believe me they are there.

FruitLover

IMO this kind of behaviour is why some people distrust or have diminished respect for the police. If you're legitimately being cautioned for breaking the law, then I think you're limited in the amount of courtesy you should expect, but regarding someone whose job it is to protect the general public displaying a confrontational/aggressive attitude during something like a random checkpoint stop where no offence has been committed, this is not something people should have to expect or to stand for.

IMO it's not a trivial matter if it affects the general public's opinion of the force in general, and if it's put up with, it'll continue. No innocent person going about their daily life should be made to feel like a criminal by someone with an inflated ego, or to feel like they have to grovel to the scary man in the uniform when they've done nothing wrong.

KTRIC

I would have to agree with being polite and calm. It works wonders. Even if the Garda in question is being an ass he / she can't feed off your nervousness or anger.

Works wonders to be honest.

monkeypants

Gonzales wrote: »

"dropping the rope"

+1

An excellent phrase that sums up the approach perfectly. I'm going to use that myself.