The mood of trepidation and anxiety at the prospect of a Garda strike is palpable. Regardless of the outcome of the talks under way in the Labour Court in an attempt to avert a strike, Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald, the Garda authorities and - most particularly - the general law-abiding public have all been left understandably fearful at even the prospect of being left to the mercy of criminals.
From virtually any standpoint, leaving the country without police protection and security is a high-risk strategy that could have dramatic and unforeseen consequences for both the gardaí and the law-abiding citizens of this State. For the elderly, the anxiety is particularly acute.
During my 40 years as a member of An Garda Síochána, tough times were encountered. We lived with low pay, high taxes and poor conditions while the ever-present threat of terrorism, subversive activity and armed crime were just some of the challenges that had to be confronted. The rank and file faced them down with considerable success. I can say without hesitation that in all those times, the issue of middle-ranking members of the force going on strike or 'withdrawing labour' was never countenanced. Because it is not in the collective culture of the gardaí to engage in such action. That is why the overwhelming support for this strike clearly demonstrates that something is fundamentally amiss in the Garda organisationally and/ or in the way it is managed.
Put simply, it is symptomatic of an organisation in a state of disarray.
Believe me, this is a monumental step and does not sit well with most members of the force. Nor am I convinced that the restoration of pay per se is the only issue that has led to this unprecedented state of affairs. The gardaí are sensible and responsible people, and they understand only too well that all sections of the public service, including nurses, teachers and prison officers, have suffered cuts to their pay.
But the gardaí, owing to their unique position, feel that their pay should be reflective of the dangers they encounter on a daily basis. And they are correct.
I am of the view that a work stoppage will have negative consequences for the gardaí in terms of public support; but I am fully in agreement with their efforts to restore their pay and conditions. In fact, they are left with little choice. The Garda Síochána Retired Members' Association - of which I am a member - has publicly backed the gardaí in their action to enhance their living and working standards and those of future members.
While pay is the catalyst that has triggered this current unrest, the treatment of the force over the past eight years has caused a seismic shift in the thinking within all sections of the membership of the force.
Many gardaí feel undervalued and alienated. Reasonable expectations and basic needs have been overlooked. Instead of problems being addressed directly, they have been fobbed off. Instead of real support, they have had to learn to live with 'lip service' policing and slogans such as 'smart policing' and 'intelligence-led policing', though what these terms are supposed to mean in the real world is anyone's guess.
Apparently, the guards have had enough of this rhetoric, whitewash and bamboozlement.
Firstly, the significant cuts in resources in terms of manpower and equipment have increased the workload. This, allied to the increased sophistication in relation to policing such as the use of technology and the level of proof required in court, has added to demands on members. The lack of clerical assistance has meant that gardaí themselves are swamped with paperwork, and therefore forced to spend long hours typing up reports. And Commissioner Nóirín O'Sullivan did not help matters with her repeated public declarations that the force has all the resources necessary to do its job. According to the Garda Inspectorate, the force is 30 years behind other forces in terms of modern methods, capability and resources. There are some stations in the country that do not have a computer. And all this gibberish and spin is causing bemusement and massive frustration all along on the front line.
Moreover, I understand there are about 46 reports lying in Garda Headquarters with valid recommendations in relation to enhancing the capability of An Garda Síochána as an organisation. Why are they just left to gather dust when they could be implemented?
Secondly, all training was discontinued during the recession years. Notwithstanding the increase in armed crime, firearms training was drastically curtailed and tactical training non-existent. Nothing has been done to develop the tactical training facility in the Garda College, Templemore, which was purchased many years ago and lauded as visionary and progressive. But the current tactical training facility has been in existence since the early 1990s and has passed its sell-by date in terms of preparing the armed sections of the force to meet modern levels of threat.
Thirdly, the gardaí in rural areas perceive themselves as isolated, with their contributions going unrecognised. No training, few promotion prospects, weak direction and leadership issues have led to dissatisfaction, then dismay and then anger. This has culminated in the present crisis situation. They feel - rightly or wrongly - that a bureaucratic elite exists in Garda Headquarters.
Organisationally, they feel that HQ is not sufficiently in touch with the demands made on the men and women who respond to the 999 calls in day-to-day policing.
Finally, the incessant negative commentary, especially from some sections of the media and indeed politicians, has further dented morale. The seeming inability of senior management to address all these problems, but most especially the failure to significantly put the whistleblower controversy to bed, has not made things any easier.
Without question, the job of managing An Garda Síochána is complex and onerous, but that said, is it not the job of managers to manage? At the end of the day, if they are unable to fulfil this function, somebody, perhaps from outside the force, will inevitably be entrusted with the task. That, in my view, would be a sad day.
Michael Carty is a retired Chief Superintendent. He was the personal assistant to Commissioner Pat Byrne. He served overseas as a UN advisor and is a former head of specialist training at An Garda Síochána College, Templemore
Irish Independent
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