Gardai need to address recruitment criteria
Minister for Justice Michael McDowell today admitted that the latest report from the Morris tribunal painted "an extremely disturbing picture of Garda behaviour".
This module of the tribunal has ruled that Detective Garda John White planted a firearm in a traveller site to justify the subsequent raid and arrest of members of the traveller family.
The findings of both the Morris and Barr tribunals must not be ignored. They highlight the gross incompetence and willful negligence that existed in Donegal and in Longford.
However, the recruitment criteria need to be re-examined to ensure that the we are served by a force who have the wherewithal to uphold the laws of this nation. I point you to the official Garda entry requirements list here.
To summarise, candidates must:
- Be of good character
- Be certified to be of good health, of sound constitution and fitted physically and mentally to perform the duties of a member of the service
- Pass a Physical Competence Test
- Be at least 18 and under 35 years
- Have obtained in the Leaving Certificate (1) a grade not lower than B3 at Foundation Level or D3 at another level in Mathematics
(2) a qualifying grade in two languages one of which must be Irish or English
English: a grade not lower that D3 at Ordinary Level,
Irish : a grade not lower than C3 at Foundation Level or D3 at another level,
Other language : a grade not lower than D3 at Ordinary Level
There are various other criteria.
To my mind, they have set the bar (excuse the pun) pretty low. The case is not being made for the acceptance only of academics or bookish types; every police force needs some members to blindly follow orders and use physical force where necessary. It is necessary however to have amongst the ranks people who take intelligent decisions when needed. The handling and mopping up of these scandals has left a lot to be desired.
If we are to regain any confidence in the force we need to feel that the right people are in charge of law and order.
tags:gardai
Published by Colm.
This module of the tribunal has ruled that Detective Garda John White planted a firearm in a traveller site to justify the subsequent raid and arrest of members of the traveller family.
The findings of both the Morris and Barr tribunals must not be ignored. They highlight the gross incompetence and willful negligence that existed in Donegal and in Longford.
However, the recruitment criteria need to be re-examined to ensure that the we are served by a force who have the wherewithal to uphold the laws of this nation. I point you to the official Garda entry requirements list here.
To summarise, candidates must:
- Be of good character
- Be certified to be of good health, of sound constitution and fitted physically and mentally to perform the duties of a member of the service
- Pass a Physical Competence Test
- Be at least 18 and under 35 years
- Have obtained in the Leaving Certificate (1) a grade not lower than B3 at Foundation Level or D3 at another level in Mathematics
(2) a qualifying grade in two languages one of which must be Irish or English
English: a grade not lower that D3 at Ordinary Level,
Irish : a grade not lower than C3 at Foundation Level or D3 at another level,
Other language : a grade not lower than D3 at Ordinary Level
There are various other criteria.
To my mind, they have set the bar (excuse the pun) pretty low. The case is not being made for the acceptance only of academics or bookish types; every police force needs some members to blindly follow orders and use physical force where necessary. It is necessary however to have amongst the ranks people who take intelligent decisions when needed. The handling and mopping up of these scandals has left a lot to be desired.
If we are to regain any confidence in the force we need to feel that the right people are in charge of law and order.
tags:gardai
Published by Colm.
|