Uniformed Gardai and Identification.

Duke O Smiley

Hi.

I understand that Garda shoulder numbers are a common and uncomplicated method of identifying (to some extent) a Garda. But when engaged with a member of the public is a Garda obliged to give his or her name if asked?

Many thanks.

GM228

Duke O Smiley wrote: »

Hi.

I understand that Garda shoulder numbers are a common and uncomplicated method of identifying (to some extent) a Garda. But when engaged with a member of the public is a Garda obliged to give his or her name if asked?

Many thanks.

Legally no they are not, but under the Garda Code yes they are.

The only legal equirements for identification of Gardaí is to wear a uniform or if not wearing a uniform to show an ID card if demanded, but that only applies specifically to carrying out certain duties under the Road Traffic Act 1961 or the Offences Against The State Act 1939.

Little CuChulainn

I don't think it's in the Code.

foggy_lad

GM228 wrote: »

Legally no they are not, but under the Garda Code yes they are.

The only legal equirements for identification of Gardaí is to wear a uniform or if not wearing a uniform to show an ID card if demanded, but that only applies specifically to carrying out certain duties under the Road Traffic Act 1961 or the Offences Against The State Act 1939.

Are Gardai not required to show their warrant card if requested by a member of the public who they are dealing with?

Little CuChulainn

foggy_lad wrote: »

Are Gardai not required to show their warrant card if requested by a member of the public who they are dealing with?

Only if not in uniform

brian_t

The Gardai themselves seem to encourage people to get a bit personal.

How can I thank a member of An Garda Síochána?

The best way of thanking a member of An Garda Síochána is to write to the Superintendent in charge of the station to which the guard is attached.

You can ask a Garda for his or her name, Registered Number and Station at the time of the incident. If it is after the event and you do not have the Garda’s details, you can ring your local station for help in identifying him or her.

How can I thank a member of An Garda Síochána?

brian_t

Little CuChulainn wrote: »

Only if not in uniform

Only if not in uniform (including hat on head)

http://www.indymedia.ie/article/82108

GM228

brian_t wrote: »

Only if not in uniform (including hat on head)

http://www.indymedia.ie/article/82108

The hat on the head part is rubbish.

mynamejeff

GM228 wrote: »

The hat on the head part is rubbish.

that whole website is rubbish

indymedia my wide white arse !!

foggy_lad

Little CuChulainn wrote: »

Only if not in uniform

But anyone can buy them uniforms and make themselves look like a Garda!

brian_t

foggy_lad wrote: »

But anyone can buy them uniforms and make themselves look like a Garda!

Could you not make a fake Warrant Card too. I'm sure most people would not know what a real one looked like.

GM228

foggy_lad wrote: »

But anyone can buy them uniforms and make themselves look like a Garda!

Anyone can buy those [a Garda??] uniforms?

hullaballoo

*Those

Stealthfins

Ask them for their badge number.

Fred Swanson

This post has been deleted.

GM228

The only thing a Guard is obliged to do is show you their ID card, but that only applies to a non-uniformed Guard when exercising a power under the Road Traffic Act 1961 or the Offences Against The State Act 1939 and only if you make the demand for them to show it.

However Garda policy expects the following, but does not place an obligation on them either:-

When requested and when the nature of the duty permits, members of An Garda Síochána on duty, in uniform or plain clothes should in all reasonable circumstances supply their name, rank and station to a member of the public directly affected or properly concerned with the duty undertaken.

However, GSOC consider that a Garda failing to give their details could amount to a breach of discipline under S5 of the Garda Síochána (Discipline) Regulations 2007 for discourtesy towards a member of the public.

Discourtesy, that is to say, failing to behave with due courtesy towards a member of the public.

mynamejeff

Stealthfins wrote: »

Ask them for their badge number.

there is no such thing

there are district sholder numbers or registration Numbers

this badge number crap is from people who watch too much america tv or go to many " peaceful protests"

iomusicdublin

All Gardai have a long number

GM228

mynamejeff wrote: »

there is no such thing

there are district sholder numbers or registration Numbers

this badge number crap is from people who watch too much america tv or go to many " peaceful protests"

Technically you are correct regarding the actual badge itself, unlike many police forces tbe badges themselves don't carry a unique number.

However the official Garda "badge" (badge isn't even the official term-it's simply ID) that they carry is actually both a metal Garda logo badge and an ID card that contains their registration number in a leather type of wallet, both go hand in hand to form a Gardas "badge" so I suppose you could argue a Garda does have a "badge number", badge isn't the official title, but the title most commonly used.

iomusicdublin wrote: »

All Gardai have a long number

That is their registration number found on the ID card forming part of their badge.

brian_t

I don't suppose you could up to one of those balaclava wearing armed garda and ask them for their name.

Miaireland

Just curious. I had a Garda to my front door the other day asking did I have CCTV on my house. I know this Garda well socially but if I didn't, would I have the right to ask him for id and ring the Station to cross check? He was in uniform but given the nature of the question he was asking I would not have felt comfortable answering just because he was wearing a what appeared to be a Garda uniform.

mynamejeff

Miaireland wrote: »

Just curious. I had a Garda to my front door the other day asking did I have CCTV on my house. I know this Garda well socially but if I didn't, would I have the right to ask him for id and ring the Station to cross check? He was in uniform but given the nature of the question he was asking I would not have felt comfortable answering just because he was wearing a what appeared to be a Garda uniform.

why would some one dress up in a garda uniform and ask if you have cctv ?

i wouldn't think it would be a problem checking with his station ,

there have been cases of scumbags calling to houses in plain clothes (never in uniform that im aware ) and robbing them,

also around this time last year there was some scummers going around with blue lights on a car and stealng the cars that they pulled over .

turns outs it was members of a mobile ethnic group from athlone i believe

Little CuChulainn

mynamejeff wrote: »

why would some one dress up in a garda uniform and ask if you have cctv ?

i wouldn't think it would be a problem checking with his station ,

there have been cases of scumbags calling to houses in plain clothes (never in uniform that im aware ) and robbing them,

also around this time last year there was some scummers going around with blue lights on a car and stealng the cars that they pulled over .

turns outs it was members of a mobile ethnic group from athlone i believe

There have been one or two cases of persons using stolen Garda uniform to gain entry to house and rob it. Much like the fake gas man or electricity man. The victims would be elderly or vulnerable. Most people would recognise the uniform as looking out of place as it would be incomplete.

Fred Swanson

This post has been deleted.

Miaireland

There are a couple of business people very nearby who would have businesses dealing with high volumes of cash. That was why I would be wary. Many of my neighbours are elderly or naive, indeed one recently invited "workmen" who had an house alarm cheap to install into her house.