A pilot identification system, which requires gardaí and sergeants to wear initials and numbers on their shoulders, has been likened to a cattle-tagging system.
Garda Mick Gill, Mayo divisional representative of the Garda Representative Association, has criticised the system which came into force in September. It assigns each garda with an identification number attached to the initials of the county they are stationed in.
In Mayo, for example, the initials used are MY and members are numbered from one upwards. The numbers and letters, which are required to be on display at all times, must be attached to both shoulders on Garda shirts and patrol jackets, yellow jackets and all other official clothing.
Introduced by the Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell, the system is designed to facilitate the public in the identification of gardaí. For some members, however, having to wear the numbers is proving demeaning. The fact that only gardaí and sergeants have been assigned the tags is also an issue, as it is leading to further differentiation both inside and outside the force.
"I think this has been a retrograde step on behalf of our own management. I worked in Dublin for eight years and there was no problem with it there. But in relation to members in the country, it is a backward step," said Garda Gill.
"Before this we were known by our names and there was never any problem if a member of the public asked for your name. It really gives truth to the old adage, 'you're only a number'."
Garda Gill suggested the reason the system was introduced so quickly was in response to the "Dame Street riots", arising from which several gardaí were brought to court.
"I just don't think this was necessary in the country. There are a lot of areas where local gardaí are well known to people, and they never had any problem giving their names to anybody. Senior officers, including inspectors and superintendents, have brass name tags with their full names, but these numbers are totally impersonal and conflict with the image we are trying to give to the general public of a personal service."
A spokesman from the Garda Press Office said the numbering system was operational in Dublin and Cork for a number of years and there had been no adverse public reaction to it.
As towns around the country grew bigger, it was thought the system should be introduced State-wide. He added it was policy that superiors could not address gardaí by their numbers, as that would be demeaning.
A new Garda uniform is expected to be introduced next January.