Cowboy Gardai

thebman · 11-12-2007 10:54am

daveharnett wrote: »

I want my police force clean too, but there's a difference between free coffee and a bribe.

If a shop/petrol station feels it would benefit from having a regular stream of cops coming through, that's fine, everybody wins.

If a nightclub owner wants the local cops to feel they owe the owner a favour, that's a whole other story.

There's a fine line here, something we as a society do not do well with.

Seems like the line is pretty bloody obvious to me.

If a politician did it, what would you say? Maybe the filling station wants politicians round because they are known figures and may help business. There is nothing wrong with giving politicians free coffee and if they get a few favours from it, sure where is the harm?

Nonsense, its a bribe, it maybe a stupidly small bribe but its still a bribe. If they got the sack for accepting any size of a bribe then they would be pretty stupid to risk their job for a free cup of coffee but they don't.

Do they get sacked for any level of corruption? Is there anybody watching to see if any guards are accepting bigger bribes? When was the last time you heard of guard getting done for accepting bribes or doing favours that brought to light by the guards themselves?

nice1franko · 11-12-2007 11:00am

I wonder do they pay tax on their Benefit In Kind?

Maple · 11-12-2007 11:03am

I used go out with a Guard and all of what the OP said is true. Plus they get free passage across the toll bridge without having to pay the toll. Or at least they did when I went out with him.

I don't begrudge them tho, the amount of absolute sh1t they have to put up with is unreal.

Xavi6 · 11-12-2007 11:06am

maple wrote: »

I don't begrudge them tho, the amount of absolute sh1t they have to put up with is unreal.

That's not much of an excuse though to be fair. A lot of people have to put up with sh1t in their job and don't get freebies.

Put simply, it's an abuse of power. We all know guards get a bigger set of balls once they have a badge in their pocket. I know it's just the way things are but that doesn't make it right.

Lola123 · 11-12-2007 11:11am

An Citeog wrote: »

Afaik, Coppers is owned by an ex-guard and the policy is to let guards in for free. If a guard goes flashing his badge to get into any other nightclub, he's asking for trouble.

I think nurses get in free some nights too! And nurses also get in free to some pubs which are near hospitals...such as mcgowans in phibs....quick flash of the nurses badge and they're in free! I'd imagine it's for the same reason that the gardai can get in free to some places.... handy to have a nurse or garda around if there's trouble. Personally, I've no problem with that.

And as for gardai taking "bribes".... Do people honestly think that the gardai can be bought of by a free cup of coffee or a sambo? Cop on!

Also, someone said they've never heard of the gardai having trouble getting a mortgage....just cos you've never heard of it, doesn't mean it's not the case!

Hagar · 11-12-2007 11:11am

A few days ago I saw the owner of a cafe shop bring out a cup of coffee to a Municipal Policeman* who was on duty minding the kids at the school bus pick-up point. It was a freezing cold morning and the cop was grateful for the hot drink; now was that corruption at work or just a kindness to a fellow human being?

* Sorry but I'm not in GardaLand

Maple · 11-12-2007 11:14am

Xavi6 wrote: »

That's not much of an excuse though to be fair. A lot of people have to put up with sh1t in their job and don't get freebies.

Put simply, it's an abuse of power. We all know guards get a bigger set of balls once they have a badge in their pocket. I know it's just the way things are but that doesn't make it right.

i'm in work now and i'm on the internet surfing aimlessly. i also made a personal call to my sister in London earlier this morning and now i'm about to call my dad.

nowhere in my contract does it say i'm entitled to the above, its a perk of my job.

free coffee is one of theirs. and besides Coppers is a sh1thole, do you really begrudge them free entry there?

MrJoeSoap · 11-12-2007 12:22pm

maple wrote: »

free coffee is one of theirs. and besides Coppers is a sh1thole, do you really begrudge them free entry there?

You think its just Coppers?

Sofaspud · 11-12-2007 12:25pm

Hagar wrote: »

A few days ago I saw the owner of a cafe shop bring out a cup of coffee to a Municipal Policeman* who was on duty minding the kids at the school bus pick-up point. It was a freezing cold morning and the cop was grateful for the hot drink; now was that corruption at work or just a kindness to a fellow human being?

* Sorry but I'm not in GardaLand

Filthy corrupt bastards!

He was obviously making the kids hand over their lunch money too, and threatening to burn down the shop if his caffeine needs were not fulfilled!

The scum!

An Citeog · 11-12-2007 12:45pm

MrJoeSoap wrote: »

You think its just Coppers?

Anywhere else in Dublin apart from Flannery's and Coppers that you know of? Any guards I know would never use their badges to get into any other nightclub because it causes so much more hassle than it's worth. They can't really enjoy their night or get plastered because you can be sure the bouncers will be straight over if they need any help/have to call the guards for any reason.

It's not like they go around flashing their badges everywhere, looking for as many freebies as they can get. It's mostly the lads in uniform that get the free coffee thrown in with the sandwich that they pay for.

bking · 11-12-2007 12:47pm

A lad i know is on the Dublin senior football team, and they (and there mates) get into Coppers free and skip the queue all the time. It's just one of those things. It's known for it, and as a Garda and Nurses hangout. I only go up with either him or my Garda mate cos i wouldn't be bothered to queue for half the night to pay 15 quid into that firetrap. Lots of people will though, cos they want to score a Guard or a nurse. Just sayin' is all...

eroo · 11-12-2007 5:06pm

Do they get sacked for any level of corruption? Is there anybody watching to see if any guards are accepting bigger bribes? When was the last time you heard of guard getting done for accepting bribes or doing favours that brought to light by the guards themselves?

1.Yes or the Garda ends up resigning..
2.Have you ever heard of Garda Ombudsman?
3.Yes as the vast majority of Gardai are decent people,who know right from wrong!
They are only human,so if you can get a free cup of coffee,so what??
Personally I would pay,but it is not a form of corruption ffs!!

People on this thread have been watching 'the Departed' too much...

Once again,could people please come down off their high horses?NOBODY is perfect,Gardai are HUMAN too you know......*shock horror:eek:*

Cathmandooo · 11-12-2007 5:16pm

eroo wrote: »

1.Yes or the Garda ends up resigning..
2.Have you ever heard of Garda Ombudsman?
3.Yes as the vast majority of Gardai are decent people,who know right from wrong!
They are only human,so if you can get a free cup of coffee,so what??
Personally I would pay,but it is not a form of corruption ffs!!

People on this thread have been watching 'the Departed' too much...

Once again,could people please come down off their high horses?NOBODY is perfect,Gardai are HUMAN too you know......*shock horror:eek:*

Here here, well said!

Personally I couldnt do the job they do. Bravo to them

thebman · 11-12-2007 5:18pm

eroo wrote: »

1.Yes or the Garda ends up resigning..
2.Have you ever heard of Garda Ombudsman?
3.Yes as the vast majority of Gardai are decent people,who know right from wrong!
They are only human,so if you can get a free cup of coffee,so what??
Personally I would pay,but it is not a form of corruption ffs!!

People on this thread have been watching 'the Departed' too much...

Once again,could people please come down off their high horses?NOBODY is perfect,Gardai are HUMAN too you know......*shock horror:eek:*

I have heard of the garda ombudsman, I've just never heard of them doing any work.

Its corruption if a crime occurs in two locations and he goes to help the guy who gives him free coffee from being robbed instead of going to another more crime say a woman being raped for example.

At some point the scenario is going to occur where a guard will choose the guy who gives him free coffee over the other person in which case they have got a favourable treatment for free coffee which is wrong. Should we all go around giving the guards free coffee in the hope that if we need them, they'll turn up in the hope for more free coffee in the future?

Its not much to get free coffee but that doesn't mean its right which is what the thread was about. Its wrong but most people don't give a crap and most people would do it if in the same situation IMO.

Cathooo wrote: »

Personally I couldnt do the job they do. Bravo to them

A lot of guards can't or won't do the job their being paid to do either.

11-12-2007 5:21pm

Our local gaurd used to regularly walk into the kitchens of the local pubs and make himself a sandwich.

eroo · 11-12-2007 5:54pm

double post

eroo · 11-12-2007 5:55pm

At some point the scenario is going to occur where a guard will choose the guy who gives him free coffee over the other person in which case they have got a favourable treatment for free coffee which is wrong. Should we all go around giving the guards free coffee in the hope that if we need them, they'll turn up in the hope for more free coffee in the future?

No offence brim,but that is one of,if not THE,most ridculous posts I have ever seen.Gardai are trained to prioritise calls.They wouldn't respond to a car window being smashed if there was a rape in progress,common sense.
But to say a Garda is going to respond to the owner of the petrol station,who has just had his window broken,over a rape is ridiculous mate!Seriously,there is not one single Garda who would do something like that....common sense in future posts please!;)

moemar · 11-12-2007 7:23pm

I had to register just to give my opinion on this.

I worked with consultant engineers who were trying to win multimillion euro contracts from big multinational companies. They used to bring the companies representatives out for meals, drinks, to shows etc... while trying to win the contracts. Was that bribery or corruption?

It's not as if there are brown envelopes being passed out or anything (which would of course be totally indefensible), it's a cup of coffee or maybe the odd sandwich. This type of thing happens in all walks of life. It's just that the gardaí are more visible that people see and hear about it.

Also the ****e about tackling big criminals - my uncle was responsible for bringing down some of the most high profile criminals this country has ever seen, so don't even say that the gardaí don't tackle the big criminals. In the process he has stared down the barrels of a number of criminals guns. As a result he had to have CCTV fitted around his house and a panic room fitted under his stairs in case of reprisals. Yes he can park in the castle and he has gotten a few perks but he earned it. When you put your life on the line in the course of your job then you deserve a few perks.

I am sick of all the garda bashing. Just because there are a few bad apples that abuse their power and act like dickheads people white wash all the force. I know of some terrible nurses who are supposed to visit old people in their houses. Daily, I see one of them walking to work at ten when she should be in at nine and on a saturday morning can be found spending three or more hours at outlet sales when she says she is out with patients. Do I say all nurses are bad as a result, or go on boards and start talking crap about cowboy nurses and how all the taxpayers money is being wasted on the thousands of nurses who do nothing, No I don't, because I know the majority of them do a good job and I'm not going to sully their name or judge them because of a small number of bad nurses.

Terry · 11-12-2007 8:00pm

moemar wrote: »

I had to register just to give my opinion on this.

I worked with consultant engineers who were trying to win multimillion euro contracts from big multinational companies. They used to bring the companies representatives out for meals, drinks, to shows etc... while trying to win the contracts. Was that bribery or corruption? It's not as if there are brown envelopes being passed out or anything (which would of course be totally indefensible), it's a cup of coffee or maybe the odd sandwich. This type of thing happens in all walks of life. It's just that the gardaí are more visible that people see and hear about it.

Also the ****e about tackling big criminals - my uncle was responsible for bringing down some of the most high profile criminals this country has ever seen, so don't even say that the gardaí don't tackle the big criminals. In the process he has stared down the barrels of a number of criminals guns. As a result he had to have CCTV fitted around his house and a panic room fitted under his stairs in case of reprisals. Yes he can park in the castle and he has gotten a few perks but he earned it. When you put your life on the line in the course of your job then you deserve a few perks.

I am sick of all the garda bashing. Just because there are a few bad apples that abuse their power and act like dickheads people white wash all the force. I know of some terrible nurses who are supposed to visit old people in their houses. Daily, I see one of them walking to work at ten when she should be in at nine and on a saturday morning can be found spending three or more hours at outlet sales when she says she is out with patients. Do I say all nurses are bad as a result, or go on boards and start talking crap about cowboy nurses and how all the taxpayers money is being wasted on the thousands of nurses who do nothing, No I don't, because I know the majority of them do a good job and I'm not going to sully their name or judge them because of a small number of bad nurses.

Well said.

I wonder would some of the people here have begrudged a cup of tea for the bike Garda who was shot recently in Dublin when he pulled a car over.

Lands Leaving · 11-12-2007 8:01pm

moemar wrote: »

I am sick of all the garda bashing. Just because there are a few bad apples that abuse their power and act like dickheads people white wash all the force. I know of some terrible nurses who are supposed to visit old people in their houses. Daily, I see one of them walking to work at ten when she should be in at nine and on a saturday morning can be found spending three or more hours at outlet sales when she says she is out with patients. Do I say all nurses are bad as a result, or go on boards and start talking crap about cowboy nurses and how all the taxpayers money is being wasted on the thousands of nurses who do nothing, No I don't, because I know the majority of them do a good job and I'm not going to sully their name or judge them because of a small number of bad nurses.

I agree. kill the nurses.

moemar · 11-12-2007 8:35pm

I agree. kill the nurses.

:eek:

eroo · 11-12-2007 8:45pm

Moemar and Terry,v.good points lads!

too many armchair generals around here..

Sizzler · 11-12-2007 8:51pm

And what about the way they all speak like they are on a day off from filming Killnaskully :eek:

moemar · 11-12-2007 9:04pm

very true sizzler:D... at least they're not selling woks to auld ones down the station though.... or are they????;)

thefinalstage · 11-12-2007 9:11pm

eroo wrote: »

Moemar and Terry,v.good points lads!

too many armchair generals around here..

Also too many kiss asses.

GreeBo · 11-12-2007 9:12pm

Most of the posts defending this behaviour dont seem to be able to make apples-to-apples comparisons.

Sure I might give my binman something at Christmas and the milkman but I dont do it because I think they will do a better job of picking up my bins.

Perks are perks, implying that you will give someone a better service because they give you things is corruption. What if the chipper gave the cops €5 instead or food?
Is that a bribe?

Sizzler · 11-12-2007 9:15pm

GreeBo wrote: »

What if the chipper gave the cops €5 instead or food?
Is that a bribe?

€5 for a bag of chips :eek: were do you live, Beverly Hills 90210 ?

eroo · 11-12-2007 10:04pm

this thread is just getting ****ing ridiculous....

'oh chippers and petrol stations are bribing gards'

give it a ****ing rest will ye...everyone here has never said no to getting a free coffee/pint/roll etc they are Gard's,so just because they get a free coffee off of the local Mace does not mean they are corrupt ffs......coffee,last time i checked,wasn't a currency...so if you are a Garda who gets something for free that would usually cost 1.60 does not mean you are going to work for the shopkeeper...

OP this IS a Garda bashing thread..simple as....

Xavi6 · 11-12-2007 11:28pm

Terry wrote: »

Well said.

I wonder would some of the people here have begrudged a cup of tea for the bike Garda who was shot recently in Dublin when he pulled a car over.

Ah here pick the extreme and rare case. I'm sure no one would begrudge an old lady a bottle of water if she faints in Spar. Not the same as getting something for no reason is it?

Lands Leaving wrote: »

I agree. kill the nurses.

Nurses (female) are generally hot. Gardai (female) are most definitely not.

eroo wrote: »

this thread is just getting ****ing ridiculous....

'oh chippers and petrol stations are bribing gards'

give it a ****ing rest will ye...everyone here has never said no to getting a free coffee/pint/roll etc they are Gard's,so just because they get a free coffee off of the local Mace does not mean they are corrupt ffs......coffee,last time i checked,wasn't a currency...so if you are a Garda who gets something for free that would usually cost 1.60 does not mean you are going to work for the shopkeeper...

OP this IS a Garda bashing thread..simple as....

Yes exactly. You've hit the nail on the head. They're guards, keepers of the peace, upholders of the law and all that. They should know better than to be taking freebies when it's clear that they are given to them for a reason. I guarantee that no shoekeeper/chippie is gonna give them freebies for nothing in return.

eroo · 11-12-2007 11:41pm

oh dear..

Xavi6 · 11-12-2007 11:47pm

eroo wrote: »

oh dear..

Thanks for those words of wisdom.

Seriously though you can't say that accepting free stuff in exchange for extra protection/vigilence is the right way for the state police to operate.

Trojan911 · 11-12-2007 11:47pm

Xavi6 wrote: »

Nurses (female) are generally hot. Gardai (female) are most definitely not.

Ha, ha, ha, yea so true (apart from a recent experience with a female officer, purrrrrrrrr).

But come on, the worst said here is a blag into a nightclub or a coffee or two. I would be more concerned if the odd one was skimming a drug dealer or seizing the drugs and then selling them on....

Ole Bill do a hard job and yes I know they signed up for it and all that, but I would'nt begrudge them a little perk or two.

Xavi6 · 11-12-2007 11:52pm

Trojan911 wrote: »

But come on, the worst said here is a blag into a nightclub or a coffee or two. I would be more concerned if the odd one was skimming a drug dealer or seizing the drugs and then selling them on....

It's amazing how one little word can prevent slander....

Trojan911 · 12-12-2007 12:02am

Xavi6 wrote: »

It's amazing how one little word can prevent slander....

It is indeed

. I hear what you are saying in your previous posts and I agree to a degree. They are there to uphold the laws of the country. They are the law enforcement agency for this country. They must be whiter than white etc.

In fairness I go out to work & being shot is the last thing on my mind. It is forefront to some of the lads 'n' ladies in blue.

I pulled into a queue to a multi storey carpark in Cork last week. It was pouring rain at the time. A female officer waved me on as the queue was going to hold up other traffic. I gave her some waffle to which she agreed to let me stay in the queue.

I parked the car went over to a coffee shop after & bought her a coffee and gave it to her and said "thank you" for not waving me on.

It works both ways...

Lands Leaving · 12-12-2007 12:04am

Xavi6 wrote: »

Nurses (female) are generally hot. Gardai (female) are most definitely not.

Bah, thats a tired stereotype. What hospital have you been going to? I just get oul' ones and dirty lookin yokes you'd throw out of bed, then into a burning building, for MENTIONING crisps in bed.

Kernel · 12-12-2007 12:08am

Xavi6 wrote: »

Seriously though you can't say that accepting free stuff in exchange for extra protection/vigilence is the right way for the state police to operate.

Do you have any evidence for this ridiculous claim? You've ignored all the points raised here and are still proceeding with your clearly biased view on the subject.

OPENROAD · 12-12-2007 12:12am

Xavi6 wrote: »

Nurses (female) are generally hot. Gardai (female) are most definitely not.

Don't know about that some good looking ones on operation free flow, certainly causing me to take my eyes off the road, not that the traffic is really moving.

MrJoeSoap · 12-12-2007 12:17am

Kernel wrote: »

Do you have any evidence for this ridiculous claim? You've ignored all the points raised here and are still proceeding with your clearly biased view on the subject.

What evidence are you looking for exactly? Video footage? I've seen it happen with my two eyes, worked in a shop where I was told to give the Gardai an item free each time, so that in the case of an emergency they'd respond quicker.

The number of times they arrived in our shop with flashing blues on a normal afternoon expecting a robbery, only to find it was the shop down the road was not right.

eroo · 12-12-2007 12:25am

Seriously though you can't say that accepting free stuff in exchange for extra protection/vigilence is the right way for the state police to operate.

It is not...but who said anything about the Gardai providing ''extra protection'' for the shops?Sure,they do get freebies but they do not put an officer on guard duty outside the premises our anything like that..

MrJoeSoap · 12-12-2007 12:30am

eroo wrote: »

It is not...but who said anything about the Gardai providing ''extra protection'' for the shops?Sure,they do get freebies but they do not put an officer on guard duty outside the premises our anything like that..

I don't disagree with shops giving out free tea or coffee to Gardai, but why else would they do it other than for extra protection or vigilance? Obviously its not an officer outside the door but there are other ways and means.

GreeBo · 12-12-2007 12:41am

eroo wrote: »

It is not...but who said anything about the Gardai providing ''extra protection'' for the shops?Sure,they do get freebies

So why dont I get freebies from chippers and random shops/clubs then?
Gee, I wonder is it because I dont have anything to offer in return.:rolleyes:

Kernel · 12-12-2007 1:33am

MrJoeSoap wrote: »

What evidence are you looking for exactly? Video footage? I've seen it happen with my two eyes, worked in a shop where I was told to give the Gardai an item free each time, so that in the case of an emergency they'd respond quicker.

The number of times they arrived in our shop with flashing blues on a normal afternoon expecting a robbery, only to find it was the shop down the road was not right.

Evidence to support the ridiculous claim that shops get extra vigilance from Guards because they dole out a free cup of tea. It's pure rubbish. As I already explained, the reason this happens is down to a business decision to attract more custom from the local station. If I owned a shop near a station you can be damn sure I'd hand out free teas if it meant that I would get more Garda customers coming in and buying all sorts during the day, with the added bonus of local robbers seeing that the cops are in and out of the premises throughout the day.

Same reason nurses from local hospitals get discounts, or Intel employees get discounts in certain shops in Leixlip. To attract more business. When I was employed by a certain multinational I got a 20% discount in a jewellers when I flashed my card. Was this because they were offered more vigilance? Was this a bribe? Get real! This thread is sending my horse**** detector into overload tbh. :rolleyes:

TheNog · 12-12-2007 2:07am

brim4brim wrote: »

What do you call it so?

An informal agreement where the gardai are encouraged to use the badge by the public transport companies and the gardai.

As for free coffee and free into niteclubs I suppose the shops are getting presence at their shops for free without having to employee security guards. The niteclub bouncers work with the gardai alot so assistance is given by either when needed. Gardai even give assistance to the bouncers when they are inside the club and off-duty.

I really don't understand why you are determined to make a mountain out of a mole hill. Is it just that you don't like the gardai?

AngryHippie · 12-12-2007 2:12am

TO be fair to the cops, they deal with the worst of the worst, so that we don't have to. If that means they get a little gratuity from businesses then so be it. It's not as if the cops are sittin watchin for donut theives all day every day. Sure some of them could work harder, and some could work smarter, But the same is true of every profession, But you don't get hated by stupid members of the society you are striving to protect

Alessandra · 12-12-2007 2:12am

Supermacs has/had a policy that if a garda walked in in uniform they could order what they want for free.

I think a lot of them do good work, like any profession, there may be a few incompetent ones out there but isn;t that life?

As for the perks, think many people get perks in other jobs undeservedly, why begrudge the gardai?

TheNog · 12-12-2007 2:19am

brim4brim wrote: »

Nonsense, its a bribe, it maybe a stupidly small bribe but its still a bribe. If they got the sack for accepting any size of a bribe then they would be pretty stupid to risk their job for a free cup of coffee but they don't.

Do they get sacked for any level of corruption? Is there anybody watching to see if any guards are accepting bigger bribes? When was the last time you heard of guard getting done for accepting bribes or doing favours that brought to light by the guards themselves?

If you say it is a bribe then what is the bribe? Every bribe requires an action of the person being bribed, so tell us what is that action?? You need to show fact here

Some Gardai are dismissed or disciplined for many of reasons all the time. Two to three years a Garda ( i think based in Kerry ) was dismissed for taking bribes to overlook traffic offences, another was dismissed in Sligo this year for stealing money that was found and handed into the station, another was dismissed this year when he was found in a flat in Drogheda with drugs during a drugs search. These are just a few examples and there are plenty more.

If nothing has shown us in the last few years is that every profession will have few bad eggs. These professions highlighted are doctors, priests, gardai, prison officers, politicians and more recently solicitors. There is no profession that cannot say there is absolutely no corruption or illegal actions.

From reading your posts it seems to me that you have been personally aggrieved by the gardai. If you feel wronged then make a complaint to the Ombudsman.

ivanthehunter · 12-12-2007 2:27am

make a complaint and suffer the WRATH OF COP...... they be out to bust your balls any chance they got.. its just one of the things u have to let slip.. its not worth falling out with a cop it will just haunt u

TheNog · 12-12-2007 2:31am

brim4brim wrote: »

I have heard of the garda ombudsman, I've just never heard of them doing any work.

Its corruption if a crime occurs in two locations and he goes to help the guy who gives him free coffee from being robbed instead of going to another more crime say a woman being raped for example.

A lot of guards can't or won't do the job their being paid to do either.

Have you lost the plot?? A simple theft or robbery at a shop versus a woman being raped. This is a no brainer.

Possibly like the poster?

Where are your facts of these gardai who can't or won't do there job?

kowloon · 12-12-2007 2:56am

OPENROAD wrote: »

Nurses (female) are generally hot. Gardai (female) are most definitely not.

TAKE IT BACK! :mad:

thefinalstage · 12-12-2007 6:38am

OPENROAD wrote:

Nurses (female) are generally hot. Gardai (female) are most definitely not.

Damn man! You haven't seen the new crop! Yumlicious.

Cowboy Gardai

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