GARDA ‘FAILED TO EMBRACE HUMAN RIGHTS VALUES’
Report calls for overhaul of policing strategy Demand for the force to be ‘more diverse’
It delivers a blueprint to deliver an overhaul of Irish policing LIAM HERRICK YESTERDAY
THE Garda has failed to fully “embrace human rights values” and must change its “mindset”, a report said yesterday.
The Irish Council for Civil Liberties study also called for a training overhaul and insisted the force should be more diverse and representative of society.
The probe was critical of gardai and said members appear to use pepper spray more regularly than the PSNI or London’s Metropolitan Police.
Author Alyson Kilpatrick, a former human rights advisor to the North’s Policing Board, said the will for reform must be present at all levels of the force.
The report stressed the policing of protests is still “shrouded in secrecy” and called for changes of policies and management restructuring.
ICCL director Liam Herrick added the study shows major reform is needed.
He said: “This is a pivotal moment for policing in Ireland. We commissioned Alyson to write this report because it is clear that, up to this point, An Garda Siochana [AGS] has never fully embraced human rights standards and values. This was evidenced, yet again, by serious concerns arising from the Garda operation on Tuesday night at an eviction on Frederick Street.
“This report makes the compelling argument that taking human rights seriously at all levels of Irish policing will have profound benefits for gardai and the communities they serve.”
Referencing the imminent publication of a study by the Commission On The Future Of Policing, Mr Herrick added there will be a comprehensive reform process arising from its findings.
He said: “This ICCL report provides a blueprint for how to deliver radical overhaul of Irish policing around human rights principles, drawing on the experience of the transformation of policing culture and practice in Northern Ireland.”
Mr Herrick added in her analysis of Garda policy and practice, Ms Kilpatrick finds there is a serious gap in human rights compliance in a number of areas including the policing of protest, hate crime probes, stop-and-search practices and the treatment of people in Garda detention.
He said: “She signals particular problems with the oversight and accountability mechanisms of State security, recommending that AGS should develop and publish written policy on all covert activity.
“Where they cannot be published for security reasons, Kilpatrick recommends these policies be made accessible to a human rights legal expert in the Policing Authority.
“Kilpatrick also highlights problems with Garda use of force. Her report notes gardai are likely to use pepper spray at a higher rate than the Metropolitan Police or the PSNI but she states that it is difficult to tell given the lack of statistics available.”
Following the report launch, Ms Kilpatrick added a rightsbased approach will not only protect people who come into contact with gardai but it will aid officers by “positively transforming policy, practice and philosophy”.
Garda Deputy Commissioner John Twomey said the force will study the ICCL’S recommendations.
He added: “Any ideas on how An Garda Siochana can strengthen its delivery of a human rights-based policing and security service are always welcome.
“Respecting and protecting the human rights of all individuals we interact with is one of the three key policing principles that guide how we deliver our service to the public.”
Deputy Commissioner Twomey said having a human rights-based policing service is a key priority for the force.
He added these include all gardai and staff being trained in the Code of Ethics – with 10,000 personnel already receiving guidance to date.
Meanwhile, a high-level group chaired by Deputy Commissioner Twomey is currently examining how to ensure human rights is a central focus of policing.