Garda ''pubic attitude survey''

carzony

Do they really think they'll rank high in this new survey?:eek: The government really seem to be trying their best to make things difficult for the gardai these days with cutbacks, wages slashed, poor transport and now asking the public to rate them.

Their obviously not gonna rank high with all the problems they have these day..

How would you rank them when given the opportunity?

http://www.thejournal.ie/gardai-public-satisfaction-1572137-Jul2014/

Plazaman

Short & Curly Guard, all the way.

TimeToShine

Jaysus the amateur comedian crowd will be out in full force on this one.

discus

I like the gardai. Far better experiences with them than any of the italian police forces, spanish police, norwegian or british police.

Timmyctc

My mates friend's dog once had a run in with a Guard so they're all *****. Let the country run itself rabble rabble rabble.

Wishiwasa Littlebitaller

Great bunch of lads.. and ban lads.

Maphisto

Lose the hatitude

fxotoole

Generally grand to deal with, as long as you don't get on the wrong side of them. A few bad eggs give the rest a bad name.

Maphisto

fxotoole wrote: »

Generally grand to deal with, as long as you don't get on the wrong side of them. A few bad eggs give the rest a bad name.

That sums it up well, generally my experience as well.

Always found the guys (always seems to be guys) I've met to be sound. There's a bit of unsavoury stuff floating around with the Shell pipeline protests and the woman that recorded the Sergeant suggesting maybe they should rape them - I mean FFS.

suicide_circus

Do trust the gardai?
Hmmm...depends.

If I am in an argument with someone who happens to know/is related to a garda, do I trust them to be impartial? No.

If I call the gardai to report an incident, do I trust them to arrive in a reasonable amount of time? No.

In the unlikely event that I am ever arrested, do I trust them not to beat me up? No.

When I have to go to the local station to get forms filled out etc, do I trust them to be polite and efficient? No.

That said, I would rather have the gardai than italian, spanish, american police.

Valetta

I think you'll find the results are not at all reflective of the biased, rabble rousing whingers here on boards.

old hippy

Don't much care for them in the main but there are some decent sorts in the force.

pq0n1ct4ve8zf5

Friend of mine got cautioned for being in the nip at the local pier once. So in my experience I'd have to say their pubic attitude is pretty negative really.

Sierra Oscar

This is not the first time that there have been Garda public attitudes surveys, they occurred throughout the 2000's. You can read them here, seems the force did OK during those surveys. I reckon they probably axed the surveys during the downturn to save money - should be done every year anyhow.

Boards.ie attitudes towards the Gardai certainly would not be representative of the rest of Ireland based on the previous surveys, and I would say that trend will continue ...

coolemon

They should do a proper internal survey and publish the results.

The closest thing we have is an internal survey of "Student Gardaí" in 2009 who have had work placements in garda stations.

And the the results:


- Machismo culture: aggressive confrontational masculine behaviour
dominates (even among women members) - 47% said Yes

- Have you met a Garda colleague who is unsuitable for policing? - 79% Yes


- Them versus us – those outside or inside are perceived to be against us- 55% Yes

- Racist behaviour towards others outside or inside the Garda - 36% Yes

- Violence unjustified by law: using more force than allowed by law - 17% Yes

- Class bias towards others outside or inside the Garda where different
social classes are seen to be treated differently - 37% Yes

- Rule-bending, covering up infringements, backing each other up - 26% Yes

- Abuse of powers where stops, searches, arrests or detention or the use of
force or discretion is slightly or significantly beyond what the law specifies - 30% Yes

- Is there an antagonistic attitude towards certain groups in society? - 57% Yes

- Is there institutional racism in An Garda Síochána where the organisation
fails to outlaw racism? - 27% Yes

- Is the use of authority the central meaning of policing for you? - 7% Yes

- Is the Garda culture the same as that of a rugby club in terms of
physicality and drinking prowess? - 24% Yes

http://www.garda.ie/Documents/User/Communique%20Final%20DEC%2009%20Reduced.pdf

So come on Guardians of the Peace. Give us some transparency. Let the public know what you really are and think behind all the PR campaigns.

irish gent

I never had a problems with Garda and just as people say some bad eggs .

Valetta

Milena Brief Type wrote: »

Friend of mine got cautioned for being in the nip at the local pier once. So in my experience I'd have to say their pubic attitude is pretty negative really.

Perhaps your friend needs to look at his/her public attitude.

myshirt

Would this not be more appropriately titled the 'h'attitude test'?

Tail Docker

How's your attitude.

Umadbrah?

What's with the hate for spanish police? When I was living in Spain I got lost quite a few times and they always helped me..they even gave me a lift

Little CuChulainn

With all the resource problems in the organisation, it's great to see management investing money in such an important scheme. With unsuitable uniforms, severe manpower problems, a barely functioning fleet of vehicles, reduced legal powers, insufficient training and disastrous morale, finding out what Joe Public thinks of the local bobby is definitely the most important thing to invest in.

coolemon

Little CuChulainn wrote: »

With all the resource problems in the organisation, it's great to see management investing money in such an important scheme. With unsuitable uniforms, severe manpower problems, a barely functioning fleet of vehicles, reduced legal powers, insufficient training and disastrous morale, finding out what Joe Public thinks of the local bobby is definitely the most important thing to invest in.

Do you have evidence that all of those factors are occurring?

Ie, that Gardaí have a resource problem - rather than a mismanagement of resources problem.

From my experience, I would say the latter. They can deploy huge amounts of resources needlessly while neglecting other requirements.

And how can people take them seriously when they talk about a lack of vehicles while they park brand new unoccupied vans and cars in the middle of o' Connell street for apparent display purposes...

Come on like.

The Gardaí get off easy in this country. Complete and utter mismanagement and the prioritisation political policing over other policing needs is what is happening, in my opinion.

Little CuChulainn

coolemon wrote: »

Do you have evidence that all of those factors are occurring?

Ie, that Gardaí have a resource problem - rather than a mismanagement of resources problem.

From my experience, I would say the latter. They can deploy huge amounts of resources needlessly while neglecting other requirements.

And how can people take them seriously when they talk about a lack of vehicles while they park brand new unoccupied vans and cars in the middle of o' Connell street for apparent display purposes...

Come on like.

The Gardaí get off easy in this country. Complete and utter mismanagement and the prioritisation political policing over other policing needs is what is happening, in my opinion.

And from where do you draw this vast experience?

dundalkfc10

They majority are 100% and do the job to the best of their ability.

There is a bunch though who are nothing but Scumbags themselves.

At the end of the day, its the justice systems fault.

I could get jumped up town next week by 2 lads with a knife and robbed, They may/may not get lifted but will be out in 2 days roaming the streets again and then appear in the local paper 12 months later with a 6 month suspended sentence cause they were on drugs at the time, had a drink problem etc..........****ing Joke of a Country if you ask me

in_ur_Is icy delight

what do you call a bangarda who shaves 'down there'?

House of Blaze

in_ur_Is icy delight wrote: »

what do you call a bangarda who shaves 'down there'?

Go on then! :rolleyes:

coolemon

Little CuChulainn wrote: »

And from where do you draw this vast experience?

Well I can speak from by observations as an activist.

An evident and recent example would be to take a comparison pf the management of resources between the recent large Palestine demonstration in Dublin and a much smaller demonstration last year.

I was at both the large Palestine demonstration there on Saturday, and also the one last year. There were about 2,000 people at the one on Saturday. It was loud, and somewhat rowdy. It was spontaneous in that the organisers had planned for it to remain on O' Connell Street, and instead it marched towards the Dail and then on to the Israeli embassy.

The garda presence was 'light'. At the embassy, where the crowd had amassed, there was probably 7-8 garda on the premises defending it. One garda car was present. Outside, perhaps another 4-5 garda. This was for a substantial crowd of at least 4-500 who had reached it. Obviously there would have been other garda on standby, but they were not visible to me.

---

Compare the resources above to the resources deployed last year at a pro-Palestine 'counterdemonstration' that occurred on O' Connell street last year. I was at it, and I would say there were, at most, 15 demonstrators.

Resources deployed:

30-40 Riot Police in full armour.
10-15 plain clothes and special detective gardai.
2 dog units.
A Garda/prison lorry
20-30+ normal uniformed gardai.

Images of this deployment last year can be found here:

http://www.demotix.com/photo/1633739/pro-israeli-and-pro-palestinian-protests-staged-dublin&popup=1

http://www.demotix.com/photo/1633736/pro-israeli-and-pro-palestinian-protests-staged-dublin&popup=1

http://www.demotix.com/photo/1633767/pro-israeli-and-pro-palestinian-protests-staged-dublin&popup=1

So what you had, in this example, and in my opinion, was the complete mismanagement of garda resources. This is quite a stark example. But in general, political protest in this country is heavily policed unnecessarily.

And not just political activity, but any social and public gathering even involving small amounts of people usually have gardai standing around needlessly.

Edit, I should actually revise the normal gardai numbers upwards for the second example as I view those images again. At least 50-60 normal uniformed gardai.

pauliebdub

I think they are ok to be honest, better than UK, Italian or Spanish police that's for sure. Some Gardai can be really lovely but often I've found then to be curt, impatient and put upon if I have to call them or visit the station.

Little CuChulainn

coolemon wrote: »

Well I can speak from by observations as an activist.

An evident and recent example would be to take a comparison pf the management of resources between the recent large Palestine demonstration in Dublin and a much smaller demonstration last year.

I was at both the large Palestine demonstration there on Saturday, and also the one last year. There were about 2,000 people at the one on Saturday. It was loud, and somewhat rowdy. It was spontaneous in that the organisers had planned for it to remain on O' Connell Street, and instead it marched towards the Dail and then on to the Israeli embassy.

The garda presence was 'light'. At the embassy, where the crowd had amassed, there was probably 7-8 garda on the premises defending it. One garda car was present. Outside, perhaps another 4-5 garda. This was for a substantial crowd of at least 4-500 who had reached it. Obviously there would have been other garda on standby, but they were not visible to me.

---

Compare the resources above to the resources deployed last year at a pro-Palestine 'counterdemonstration' that occurred on O' Connell street last year. I was at it, and I would say there were, at most, 15 demonstrators.

Resources deployed:

30-40 Riot Police in full armour.
10-15 plain clothes and special detective gardai.
2 dog units.
A Garda/prison lorry
20-30+ normal uniformed gardai.

Images of this deployment last year can be found here:

http://www.demotix.com/photo/1633739/pro-israeli-and-pro-palestinian-protests-staged-dublin&popup=1

http://www.demotix.com/photo/1633736/pro-israeli-and-pro-palestinian-protests-staged-dublin&popup=1

http://www.demotix.com/photo/1633767/pro-israeli-and-pro-palestinian-protests-staged-dublin&popup=1

So what you had, in this example, and in my opinion, was the complete mismanagement of garda resources. This is quite a stark example. But in general, political protest in this country is heavily policed unnecessarily.

And not just political activity, but any social and public gathering even involving small amounts of people usually have gardai standing around needlessly.

It's pretty difficult to judge how a protest will go. From the example you quoted it appears they prepared for anything in the first one and reduced their numbers based on the previous behavior of the group for the second one. That actually seems like good management. Or perhaps they just didn't have the numbers to police the second one in the same manner.

coolemon

Little CuChulainn wrote: »

It's pretty difficult to judge how a protest will go. From the example you quoted it appears they prepared for anything in the first one and reduced their numbers based on the previous behavior of the group for the second one. That actually seems like good management. Or perhaps they just didn't have the numbers to police the second one in the same manner.

they did not reduce their numbers for the second one. Not at all did they.

They actually deployed the riot cops at a later stage having already prepared them. Look at the photographs! - the line of them.

And this for an extremely small protest that uniformed gardai could manage.

Mismanagement is all I can say. I felt like the most wanted man in Ireland at it, - that they needed an army to keep me at bay from holding a placard...

Some have speculated that this was on Alan Shatters orders, given his ministerial office and views on the issue.

Little CuChulainn

coolemon wrote: »

they did not reduce their numbers for the second one. Not at all did they.

This is your description of the resources at last Saturdays protest

The garda presence was 'light'. At the embassy, where the crowd had amassed, there was probably 7-8 garda on the premises defending it. One garda car was present. Outside, perhaps another 4-5 garda. This was for a substantial crowd of at least 4-500 who had reached it. Obviously there would have been other garda on standby, but they were not visible to me.

And this is your description of the resources at last years demonstration

30-40 Riot Police in full armour.
10-15 plain clothes and special detective gardai.
2 dog units.
A Garda/prison lorry
20-30+ normal uniformed gardai.

That sounds like a massive reduction between the first and second one.

About last Saturdays you first say

Obviously there would have been other garda on standby, but they were not visible to me.

but then you say

They actually deployed the riot cops at a later stage having already prepared them

coolemon

Little CuChulainn wrote: »

This is your description of the resources at last Saturdays protest



And this is your description of the resources at last years demonstration



That sounds like a massive reduction between the first and second one.

About last Saturdays you first say



but then you say

Eh, the second one, as in, the second example cited. I cited two examples - a recent demonstration (1), and a demonstration last year (2).

I thought that would have been obvious.

Little CuChulainn

coolemon wrote: »

Eh, the second one, as in, the second example cited. I cited two examples - a recent demonstration (1), and a demonstration last year (2).

I thought that would have been obvious.

It was obvious you were citing two examples. And your examples completely contradict what you said as I have just shown you.

coolemon

Little CuChulainn wrote: »

It was obvious you were citing two examples. And your examples completely contradict what you said as I have just shown you.

Not really. You are trying infer that the second cited example had an influence on the reduced police presence at the first cited example.

When you have little to nothing to base that inference on only the two examples cited. Dozens of demonstrations had taken place before and after both of the cited demonstrations, for which, I assume, you have little knowledge.

What can be inferred from my example is the complete mismanagement of resources in the second cited example. Not the contradictions you are tryng to create.

UCDVet

I've only had two very minor interactions with Garda, but both times they were friendly, professional and helpful.

My experiences with police were a lot worse outside of Ireland, but again, haven't really had much experience.

Maphisto

in_ur_Is icy delight wrote: »

what do you call a bangarda who shaves 'down there'?

House of Blaze wrote: »

Go on then! :rolleyes:

While others are taking this seriously. There's a minority waiting for the answer :rolleyes:

Little CuChulainn

coolemon wrote: »

Not really. You are trying infer that the second cited example had an influence on the reduced police presence at the first cited example.

When you have little to nothing to base that inference on only the two examples cited. Dozens of demonstrations had taken place before and after both of the cited demonstrations, for which, I assume, you have little knowledge.

What can be inferred from my example is the complete mismanagement of resources in the second cited example. Not the contradictions you are tryng to create.

Chronologically, according to you, the first protest had loads of Gardaí and the second have fewer. This shows they either reduced their numbers because they could not staff it or because they better predicted the manpower needed.

As far as i can see you have either mixed up your examples or you have no clue what you are saying.

coolemon

Little CuChulainn wrote: »

Chronologically, according to you, the first protest had loads of Gardaí and the second have fewer. This shows they either reduced their numbers because they could not staff it or because they better predicted the manpower needed.

As far as i can see you have either mixed up your examples or you have no clue what you are saying.

Ok, you are getting mildly irritating now.

You said

"From the example you quoted it appears they prepared for anything in the first one."

It was the second example cited that one that one could infer that they "prepared for anything" - not the first - given the greater resources deployed. So it sounds it is you are the one getting confused.

"Chronologically, according to you, the first protest had loads of Gardaí and the second have fewer. This shows they either reduced their numbers because they could not staff it or because they better predicted the manpower needed."

As I have already stated, it is not possible to infer that they reduced their numbers for the first one based on the second one. You do not have sufficient information to infer such a thing, apart from mere chronology of the examples. Examples chosen by me because 1) the second example was a particularly stark and relatively isolate waste of resource and 2) the first example was a very recent, topical and fresh event around the same issue.

I could have chosen a dozen demonstrations chronologically prior to the second example if I wanted to. Chronology having little to **** all to do with anything.

in_ur_Is icy delight

Maphisto wrote: »

While others are taking this seriously. There's a minority waiting for the answer :rolleyes:

c*nt-stubble

Little CuChulainn

coolemon wrote: »

Ok, you are getting mildly irritating now.

You said

"From the example you quoted it appears they prepared for anything in the first one."

It was the second example cited that one that one could infer that they "prepared for anything" - not the first - given the greater resources deployed. So it sounds it is you are the one getting confused.

"Chronologically, according to you, the first protest had loads of Gardaí and the second have fewer. This shows they either reduced their numbers because they could not staff it or because they better predicted the manpower needed."

As I have already stated, it is not possible to infer that they reduced their numbers for the first one based on the second one. You do not have sufficient information to infer such a thing, apart from mere chronology of the examples. Examples chosen by me because 1) the second example was a particularly stark and relatively isolate waste of resource and 2) the first example was a very recent, topical and fresh event around the same issue.

I could have chosen a dozen demonstrations chronologically prior to the second example if I wanted to. Chronology having little to **** all to do with anything.

There are really only two reasons that the Garda numbers reduced between last years and this years protest. Either they did not have the manpower to devote to it, in which case my claim they are under resourced is correct or they deliberately reduced their numbers, in which case your claim that it was poor manpower management is incorrect.

You have made a claim about constant mismanagement and backed it up with examples that show the opposite. For some reason you decided to reverse the chronology of the examples you gave. I presume it was to make your point seem valid. You also threw in Shatter's Jewish background for good measure. To me that cheapened your argument even further.

Rothmans

coolemon wrote: »

Ok, you are getting mildly irritating now.

You said

"From the example you quoted it appears they prepared for anything in the first one."

It was the second example cited that one that one could infer that they "prepared for anything" - not the first - given the greater resources deployed. So it sounds it is you are the one getting confused.

"Chronologically, according to you, the first protest had loads of Gardaí and the second have fewer. This shows they either reduced their numbers because they could not staff it or because they better predicted the manpower needed."

If anyone is getting confused its because you're getting mixed up yourself, and back-tracking on what you originally said.

As I have already stated, it is not possible to infer that they reduced their numbers for the first one based on the second one. You do not have sufficient information to infer such a thing, apart from mere chronology of the examples. Examples chosen by me because 1) the second example was a particularly stark and relatively isolate waste of resource and 2) the first example was a very recent, topical and fresh event around the same issue.

I could have chosen a dozen demonstrations chronologically prior to the second example if I wanted to. Chronology having little to **** all to do with anything.

Then why did you bring up this piece of anecdotal evidence if it is useless in relation to the point you're trying to make?

coolemon

Little CuChulainn wrote: »

(1) Either they did not have the manpower to devote to it, in which case my claim they are under resourced is correct

(2) or they deliberately reduced their numbers, in which case your claim that it was poor manpower management is incorrect.

Not at all.

(1) There was no reason to deploy that much manpower in the second example - whether they had it or not. Nor was there any reason to deploy as much manpower at the first as they did the second - which they did not.

(2)They did not reduce their numbers in the first example. That would be to infer decisions made in the first example were due and related to those of the second example.

Again, you have no information to make such an inference bar the chronology of the examples.

(1)You have made a claim about constant mismanagement and backed it up with examples that show the opposite.

(2)For some reason you decided to reverse the chronology of the examples you gave. I presume it was to make your point seem valid.

(3)You also threw in Shatter's Jewish background for good measure. To me that cheapened your argument even further.

(1) No they do not. They show the waste of resources of the second cited example last year. And I used the first example to show successful crowd management using far less resources despite a far larger demonstration and crowd.

(2) Nah, just that the chronology is irrelevant to the sequencing of my examples.

(3) No I did not throw in or even mention Shatters Jewish background. Thats just you making stupid and incorrect inferences again.

coolemon

Rothmans wrote: »

If anyone is getting confused its because you're getting mixed up yourself, and back-tracking on what you originally said.



Then why did you bring up this piece of anecdotal evidence if it is useless in relation to the point you're trying to make?

Could you elaborate further as I don't see the point you are making.

I never emphasised chronology apart from mentioning it for descriptive purposes - ie. "recent demonstration" ,or "last years demonstration".

Calibos

I don't think people take into account the amount of **** they have to deal with every single day of their working lives. The whingers rant about being manhandled when they stood up for their citizens rights maaaann. Maybe the guard an hour previously had to deal with a scumbag or addict spitting in their face and threatening to follow them home from work and burn their family and house down. Maybe as a result they haven't the patience reserves to deal with your antagonistic behaviour etc.

I liken it to the one and only time I was ejected from a club donkeys years ago. Foam party with a rope and tarp around the dancefloor area to keep the suds on the dancefloor. I was backed against the rope and my friends thought it would be a laugh to push the rope into the back of my legs and upend me flipping me head over heals onto my face onto the carpets at the edge of the dance floor. Next thing I know I've been grabbed and am being dragged through the crowds by bouncers. As I worked in the bar trade at the time, I knew the sh1t these lads have to deal with on a nightly basis. I knew the worst thing I could do is struggle and scream abuse or try and argue my case at that moment. I let my body go limp, let them pull me through the crowds till we got outside. I didn't go off on one or get in their face or complain. I calmly told the lads that I totally understood why they had to grab me and bring me outside not knowing whether I was off my head with drink or whatever. I assured them I wasn't drunk, explained what had actually happened, that if they didn't want to let me back in I would understand. About 10 minutes later after observing me calmly waiting I was allowed back in to enjoy the rest of the night. Had I got in their faces, shouting abuse for their 'mistake', demanding to be allowed back in 'because I have rights as a paying customer!! Blah blah. Well antagonising them like that would have meant never getting back and possibly even been barred.

Theres a time and a place to stand up for your rights if they've been infringed and its at the front desk of the garda station later with badge numbers, not on the spot with an over worked guard who likely got spat at by a junkie an hour before.

catallus

I'd like to take just a moment to say that the poster "in_ur_Is icy delight" 's joke is probably deserving of post of the day, if not the year.

He came soaring into our lives liked a winged messenger of the gods with a fantastic joke and then closed his account.

Well done, sir, wherever you are.

whirlpool

Oh my god. Edit the thread title, for jaysus sake!

Maphisto

whirlpool wrote: »

Oh my god. Edit the thread title, for jaysus sake!

46 posts to spot it duh:eek:

Maphisto

catallus wrote: »

I'd like to take just a moment to say that the poster "in_ur_Is icy delight" 's joke is probably deserving of post of the day, if not the year.

He came soaring into our lives liked a winged messenger of the gods with a fantastic joke and then closed his account.

Well done, sir, wherever you are.

Four posts and he's gawn!

Little CuChulainn

I have no idea why you keep stick to the logical idea that "first" should refer to oldest chronologically.

coolemon wrote: »

Not at all.

(1) There was no reason to deploy that much manpower in the second example - whether they had it or not. Nor was there any reason to deploy as much manpower at the first as they did the second - which they did not.

Can you stick to using last years and this years instead of first and second because your comments are just to hard to understand otherwise because i have no idea what you are referring to when you say the second one.

coolemon wrote: »

(2)They did not reduce their numbers in the first example. That would be to infer decisions made in the first example were due and related to those of the second example.

By your own claims there were less Gardaí in this years than in last years. You think this is down to mismanagement in resources but that does not make any sense. From the sounds of it, this years one was properly managed in terms of manpower.

coolemon wrote: »

Again, you have no information to make such an inference bar the chronology of the examples.

I have the information you provided.

coolemon wrote: »

(1) No they do not. They show the waste of resources of the second cited example last year. And I used the first example to show successful crowd management using far less resources despite a far larger demonstration and crowd.

Right, so you have shown that in one year the management of resources has improved dramatically, which totally negates the point you made that the force is poorly managed.

coolemon wrote: »

(2) Nah, just that the chronology is irrelevant to the sequencing of my examples.

It's relevant to making sense of your posts.

coolemon wrote: »

(3) No I did not throw in or even mention Shatters Jewish background. Thats just you making stupid and incorrect inferences again.

coolemon wrote: »

Some have speculated that this was on Alan Shatters orders, given his ministerial office and views on the issue.

catallus

Maphisto wrote: »

Four posts and he's gawn!

His flame burned too brightly for this world, like a shooting star he illuminated the firmament of our dull globe and then was seen no more.

But, for that fleeting moment, he gave us a glimpse of the shining possibilities and the glories of the smutty joke.

We don't know how lucky we were to have witnessed it!

Pumpkinseeds

It makes sense for them to find out what the public thinks of them so that they can identify what the public isn't happy with and work towards improvement. It's the kind of job where they're damned if they do and damned if they don't, not the kind of thankless soul destroying job I'd want to do.