Reducing Garda numbers

MagicSean

http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0413/garda.html

The Minister for Justice has said that the Government decision to reduce the strength of the Garda Síochána to 13,000 was 'an unfortunate reality'.

Alan Shatter addressed delegates at the Garda Representative Association annual conference in Westport, Co Mayo this afternoon.

He said that public safety is not a matter of garda numbers but smart policing, investigative skill and reliable intelligence.

GRA president Damien McCarthy had earlier accused the Government of reckless endangerment.

Mr McCarthy said the force was just getting by, but if a major emergency or terrorist attack happened, the resources on paper would not match those on the street.

I have a particular problem with the comment about smart policing. I'd like to see how this idea would be implemented in the middle of a traveller feud or an out of control debs or stag party. Anyone involved in policing knows how easy it is for a situation to escalate and how important it is to be able to call on some support. This isn't such a problem in Dublin were divisions are close together but in country stations your backup could be half an hour away.

This reduction in numbers will result in increases in injuries to Gardaí. There is no doubt about it. Criminals are getting more violent and, as a result of the recession, more numerous.

eroo

Speaking as someone whose ambition has always been to become a Garda, I am disgusted and feel let down by a Govt who will do nothing different to the last Govt.

I also think it will be interesting to see Shatter's response in the next few years to opinion polls where public confidence in AGS will reach an all time low, as Joe Public ends up wating 4 hours for Gardai to respond to his call about his car being stolen. AGS needs new members badly.

kerry4sam

According to this, "Justice Minister Alan Shatter said that the decision to reduce the strength of the Garda Síochána to 13,000 was 'an unfortunate reality'."

Does the reduction to 13,000 include the Garda Reserves figure of 10% approx?
OR
Would the 13,000 strength of the Garda Síochána be exclusive of the Reserves?

eroo

kerry4sam wrote: »

According to this, "Justice Minister Alan Shatter said that the decision to reduce the strength of the Garda Síochána to 13,000 was 'an unfortunate reality'."

Does the reduction to 13,000 include the Garda Reserves figure of 10% approx?
OR
Would the 13,000 strength of the Garda Síochána be exclusive of the Reserves?

I'd imagine it wont. There are plans to stop recruiting Reserves next year once they reach 1400.

Bosh

They way it's going with pay cuts & tax increases, we'll all be reserves soon

goldie fish

Remember a few years back, crime was so bad we needed an extra 2000 gardai, and couldn't get them in fast enough?
What happened to reduce crime so dramatically that we no longer need these gardai?

Was it the visit of the Dali Lama?

Cookie_Monster

eroo wrote: »

I also think it will be interesting to see Shatter's response in the next few years to opinion polls where public confidence in AGS will reach an all time low, as Joe Public ends up wating 4 hours for Gardai to respond to his call about his car being stolen. AGS needs new members badly.

as opposed to three hours now

I think it's madness to be cutting numbers in AGS just to save a few quid when the gov refuses to look at all the back office people in the HSE etc.
Seem to just be an easier target, anyone on the streets can see crime is widespread especially gangland, AGS should be getting more numbers and more resources now, not less.
I don't understand how Shatter can see any good coming of this any minimal saving are going to be offset in higher crime rates, and mass public dissatisfaction with a force that simply will not have the resources to do its job properly.