Change in selection/entry methods for Garda trainee's?

eroo · 10-11-2009 06:14PM #1

In light of recent controversy's involving mainly younger Gardai with low levels of experience and a small number of years service, I was wondering what serving members and current trainee's think of the situation(if you agree/disagree that there is a situation)? Do you think that the accelerated recruitment in the good times has in fact had a negative impact on the organisation? Is it possible that a lot of people joined for the wrong reasons and now AGS is paying for it?

I know only all too well from my own experience that there are bad eggs in every organisation.. but the cases of recent years are quite worrying in my opinion. Not just cases in the media, but I'm sure you've all heard of incidents.. whether minor or serious.

Is it lack of guidance by senior/experienced members? Lack of supervision by same? Is it ignored? What I'm talking about is the conduct of some junior Gardai on and off duty. Before anyone thinks I'm having a go, some of you may remember I hold An Garda Siochana, it's history, traditions and it's hard working members in the highest esteem, and would be honoured to join their ranks in the near future.

I just want to get members opinions on whether entry methods/selection criteria or even training methods should be changed to prevent cases like below happening.. indulge me, disagree with me or ridicule me.. anything, please.

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/fourth-garda-suspected-of-leahttp://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2009/0514/breaking30.htmking-information-1937121.html
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2009/0514/breaking30.htm
http://findarticles.com/p/news-articles/daily-mail-london-england-the/mi_8002/is_2009_Oct_17/garda-cried-rape-cab-driver/ai_n39291082/

10-11-2009 07:06PM

Re the first story anybody of any age can have an addiction and get themselves into a similar situation. And remember that this story originated from an investigation into an older more experienced member.

Second story does not mention the members terms of service. (And people who know details of that story should keep quiet. Court case in progress.)

Third story, again no details of how long she was a Garda.

So maybe you need to look again at your post.

Whitewater-AGS · 10-11-2009 07:13PM

Personally I feel that there is no need to change the selection method for AGS, the current system is fine and the incidents you have highlighted above are not unique to AGS there is not a single police force in the world that has not had the same problems and no selection process in the world will change the fact that sometimes bad apples make it in or that some people will succome to pressure and make a bad choice or two.

And if you look back further at incidents you'll see alot of senior men have done some stupid things.

eroo · 10-11-2009 07:24PM

foreign wrote: »

Re the first story anybody of any age can have an addiction and get themselves into a similar situation. And remember that this story originated from an investigation into an older more experienced member.

Second story does not mention the members terms of service. (And people who know details of that story should keep quiet. Court case in progress.)

Third story, again no details of how long she was a Garda.

So maybe you need to look again at your post.

My point wasn't based solely on those cases. She was a Garda roughly 3-4 years I remember reading, and the Gardai in the 2nd were relatively junior however I simply cannot dig up those articles. As regards the first story, I wasn't highlighting the Garda's addiction based on her age.. moreso that the conduct of 17 young Gardai were being invstigated.

eroo · 10-11-2009 07:27PM

Whitewater-AGS wrote: »

Personally I feel that there is no need to change the selection method for AGS, the current system is fine and the incidents you have highlighted above are not unique to AGS there is not a single police force in the world that has not had the same problems and no selection process in the world will change the fact that sometimes bad apples make it in or that some people will succome to pressure and make a bad choice or two.

And if you look back further at incidents you'll see alot of senior men have done some stupid things.

How would you change the system though?

I'm not saying it's solely junior members doing stupid things, but it is more common.

Whitewater-AGS · 10-11-2009 07:30PM

eroo wrote: »

How would you change the system though?

I'm not saying it's solely junior members doing stupid things, but it is more common.

Change what system?
I dont feel the selection/recruitment process needs changing.
As for the current investigation of 17 members, I'll not be passing any comment on that.

eroo · 10-11-2009 07:46PM

Whitewater-AGS wrote: »

Change what system?
I dont feel the selection/recruitment process needs changing.
As for the current investigation of 17 members, I'll not be passing any comment on that.

Fine.

eroo · 10-11-2009 07:51PM

Without commenting cases, do members feel the process should be changed? Not just recruiment, but supervision of trainee's and junior members?

northside girl · 10-11-2009 10:36PM

Whitewater-AGS wrote: »

Personally I feel that there is no need to change the selection method for AGS, the current system is fine and the incidents you have highlighted above are not unique to AGS there is not a single police force in the world that has not had the same problems and no selection process in the world will change the fact that sometimes bad apples make it in or that some people will succome to pressure and make a bad choice or two.

And if you look back further at incidents you'll see alot of senior men have done some stupid things.

+1

I couldn't agree more with this statement. I think the small number of cases highlighted here hardly reflect a massive problem in AGS considering that thousands of people have been recruited since accelerated recruitment began a few years ago. Personally, I don't see any reason to change the recruitment/selection process due to the actions of a very small number of members and I really don't think this should overshadow the hard work and professionalism that the vast majority of members, junior or otherwise, put into the job every day. You will always have bad apples no matter where you work but it's nowhere near as prevalent in AGS as you might think.

Hooch · 11-11-2009 01:06AM

Locked on request by O/P

Change in selection/entry methods for Garda trainee's?

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