O’Callaghan: Don’t punish Garda siren drivers

FIANNA Fáil’s justice spokesman has called on Garda bosses not to penalise officers who respond to emergencies despite not having specialist driving qualifications.

Jim O’Callaghan spoke out after it emerged an officer is being investigated by the policing watchdog GSOC for an alleged breach of discipline after he responded to an armed incident.

The officer did not have a specialist driving qualification, known as CBD2, which allows officers to use sirens and blue lights to respond to emergencies.

Mr O’Callaghan told the Irish Mail on Sunday: ‘One of the most important duties of the gardaí is the pursuit of criminals in vehicles who are trying to evade arrest. A police force cannot function unless this task can be readily performed.

‘Rather than penalising gardaí who are pursuing criminals, we should be supporting them by acknowledging that emergency situations frequently require a rapid policing response.’

The concerns come amid morale issues within the force. The Garda Representative Association, which represents rank-and-file officers, this week announced that Commissioner Drew Harris would not be attending its annual conference in April – the first time a Garda chief hadn’t been invited in over 40 years.

Last weekend, the MoS revealed how gardaí were unable to say how many members of the force are legally able to use their blue lights to respond to emergencies.

Gardaí initially were unable to provide data, citing retired and promoted members in figures.

A spokeswoman for the Policing Authority yesterday told the MOS that ‘training and development’ of the Garda workforce were ‘integral aspects’ of its oversight function. She added: ‘The specific matter of driver training has been subject to regular engagement in recent years, and continues to be monitored by the Authority.’