Garda Ombudsman

Spacedog

please place in correct forum if not applicable.

What's wrong with this statement?

http://www.rte.ie/news/2010/0414/garda.html

Superintendents say too much of their time is spent on investigations for the Garda Ombudsman, which the Commission should carry out instead.

considering that...

http://www.gardaombudsman.ie

The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission opened its public offices on May 9th 2007. The Garda Ombudsman is responsible for receiving and dealing with all complaints made by members of the public concerning the conduct of members of the Garda Síochána.

The Garda Ombudsman’s mission is to provide the public with an independent and effective oversight of policing, and to deal with the public’s complaints concerning Gardaí fairly and efficiently so that everyone can have confidence in the complaints system.

Sharpshooter

Moved from AHs.
If I've moved it to the wrong forum please feel free to move it to the correct forum.

I just don't see AHs as being that forum.

Hooch

If it is a minor complaint the GSOC will appoint a Supt to investigate it. This is what the Supts want to stop.

Spacedog

What constitutes a minor complaint about the Gardai? junkies getting a few kicks in the cells? protesters being arrested without charge? anything with a little political splashback that might need to be swept under the rug?

it seems to me that if the ombudsman can pick and choose whiceh cases to investigate independantly, and which ones aren't worth the bother, and the gards can be trusted to investigate themselves Donegal style e.g. 'nothing happened, that junky simply fell on my fist', then the office is just a quango agency like the HSE is for absorbing blame for the bad health service.

I guess I'm not suprised considering the minister for justice who set it up in 2007. classic PD play.

Hooch

Spacedog wrote: »

What constitutes a minor complaint about the Gardai? junkies getting a few kicks in the cells? protesters being arrested without charge? anything with a little political splashback that might need to be swept under the rug?

it seems to me that if the ombudsman can pick and choose whiceh cases to investigate independantly, and which ones aren't worth the bother, and the gards can be trusted to investigate themselves Donegal style e.g. 'nothing happened, that junky simply fell on my fist', then the office is just a quango agency like the HSE is for absorbing blame for the bad health service.

I guess I'm not suprised considering the minister for justice who set it up in 2007. classic PD play.

Hey dont shoot the messenger.....its not like I tought it up!!!

TheNog

Spacedog wrote: »

What constitutes a minor complaint about the Gardai? junkies getting a few kicks in the cells? protesters being arrested without charge? anything with a little political splashback that might need to be swept under the rug?

it seems to me that if the ombudsman can pick and choose whiceh cases to investigate independantly, and which ones aren't worth the bother, and the gards can be trusted to investigate themselves Donegal style e.g. 'nothing happened, that junky simply fell on my fist', then the office is just a quango agency like the HSE is for absorbing blame for the bad health service.

I guess I'm not suprised considering the minister for justice who set it up in 2007. classic PD play.

Alleged discourtesy would be one complaint that would considered lower level which would be passed from the Ombudsman to AGS for investigation.

More serious complaints would be fatals, serious assaults or pretty much anything that could end up before a criminal court would be investigated by GSOC.

I agree, GSOC should be investigating all complaints but that will involve greatly increasing there number. However if the Government is reluctant to increase the number of Gardai to police a nation of 4.5 million I cant see them increasing GSOCs number to police approx 14,000 Garda members.

Spacedog

I'm especially curious about how politically sensitice topics are investigated, Like Garda refusal to investigate reported CIA rendition flights seen in Shannon etc.

MagicSean

As far as I know a complaint can only be made by a person affected by a crime or who physically witnesses it.

TylerIE

k_mac wrote: »

As far as I know a complaint can only be made by a person affected by a crime or who physically witnesses it.

Ye thats what a friend got from a symathetic senior officer who wanted a complaint referred to the GSOC rather than dealing with it at local level - I believe that since the commission came all complaints are supposed to be referred to GSOC, and sent back if appropriate, but never just dealt with locally.

k_mac

k_mac wrote: »

As far as I know a complaint can only be made by a person affected by a crime or who physically witnesses it.

They can investigate if it is in the general public interest.

Spacedog, you asked your question and got your answer. If you want further information on how to complain have a look at the ombudsman's website.

In my opinion, your post at 20:09 is bordering on trolling.

Spacedog

hehe, sorry for tone, thnks for comments, no beef with the gards, I know it's a tough job. they have to look out for each other as well the general public. and sometimes situations arise where it's one or the other, life isn't black and white.

The ombudsman office passing investigations back to the agency it is supposed to be independent of, seems to me as a citizen, to undermine it's very purpose.

deadwood

Spacedog wrote: »

I'm especially curious about how politically sensitice topics are investigated, Like Garda refusal to investigate reported CIA rendition flights seen in Shannon etc.

Well, why not contact the ombudsman and let us know how you get on?

Spacedog

deadwood wrote: »

Well, why not contact the ombudsman and let us know how you get on?

nah, couldn't be arsed. never mind.

Shield

Spacedog wrote: »

nah, couldn't be arsed. never mind.

Fair enough.

Thread closed.