Madam, – I feel obliged to clarify some of the points raised by Conor Brady of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission in Conor Lally's article on the use of batons by gardaí published in The Irish Timeson January 19th .
As a matter of record the feedback that the Garda Representative Association (GRA) receives from members is that they are reluctant to use their batons now, preferring to risk injury than be subject to an Ombudsman investigation; not because they fear the Ombudsman but because of the inordinate delays that such investigations often take. We wholeheartedly welcome the call for speedy resolution to every investigation. This should not be lost on Mr Brady, as we have brought it to the attention of the Ombudsman Commission through the various forums in which we engage with them.
I am aware of one instance where eight months elapsed before a garda was notified that a complaint had been made. In the meantime vital evidence was lost that would have greatly assisted the investigation.
The GRA and the Ombudsman will agree or disagree on many issues that may come and may go. But one issue on which we will never agree upon is the Ombudsman’s desire to remit complaints back to An Garda Síochána for investigation.
The GRA believes that all complaints made to the Ombudsman must be investigated by the Ombudsman, if the public is to have confidence in the oversight body of their police force. The current, unacceptable situation is one where 80 per cent of complaints are referred back for investigation by gardaí.
Our members interact with the public every day of the week, many times in situations of conflict and trauma. It is, therefore, in our best interest that the public have complete trust and confidence in us. How can that trust and confidence be nurtured if a member of the public asks if their complaint is being independently investigated and they are told “probably not”?
The Garda Representative Association welcomes independent investigation; we welcome speedy resolution to all complaints. If the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission can deliver this, then everyone’s interests will be served. – Yours, etc,
MICHAEL O’BOYCE,
President,
Garda Representative
Association,
Phibsboro Tower,
Dublin 7.