Page 16 - COBH EDITION 5th APRIL DIGITAL VERSION

‘Simply signing a code of ethics will not solve garda problems’ -
Trevor Laffan

There’s been a bit of fuss over the code of ethics for
An Garda Siochana that was introduced by the Polic-
ing Authority. It was designed to inform and guide the
actions of every garda on what is expected of them as
police officers.

It reinforces the need for honesty and integrity, respect
and equality, transparency and communication and
a duty to speak up and report wrongdoing whenever
they encounter it.
In the aftermath of the various controversies in An Garda Siochana, the Government
instructed the Policing Authority to come up with guidelines and the code of ethics is
the result. Josephine Feehily, the Policing Authority’s chairwoman, said it was vitally
important that active steps were taken to ensure the code was embedded into the
day-to-day work of gardaí.
My understanding is that gardai of all ranks are to receive training in the new code
and are then required to sign up to it, but so far, the uptake by gardai in signing it,
has been slow.

The Garda Representative Association doesn’t like it and complains that too much
training and money is being spent on it when there is an urgent need for firearms
training, driving courses and instruction on all the new pieces of legislation. I’m
inclined to agree with them.
I have been retired for the last four years so I’m not in the loop anymore, but I’m
not convinced that spending all this time, money and effort on developing a code
of ethics is going to make much of a difference to way the men and women in blue,
carry out their duty. Just because they sign a piece of paper saying that they have
read the code is not going to guarantee the perfect police officer.

If someone is inherently dishonest, racist, corrupt, homophobic, or simply mad,
then agreeing to abide by certain ethical standards is not going to cure them. I’m
sure they won’t be deterred from taking part in wayward activities, if they are al-
ready that way inclined, simply because they’ve signed the dotted line, promising to
be good.

In my day, we received instruction during our training in the Garda College on what
was acceptable behaviour and what wasn’t. We continued to receive regular in-ser-
vice training throughout our service after that, but as soon as the crash came, that
aspect of training was one of the first casualties.

To the best of my knowledge, most of the guys in my class turned out fine. I met a
few bad apples along the way during my 35 years, but the percentage was small,
and I can’t imagine that forcing the current members to sign a code of ethics is go-
ing to improve the odds that much. The GRA has suggested that this is nothing but
window dressing, and I suspect they’re right.