Tasers and stab vests on agenda at conference
MEMBERS OF the Garda Representative Association (GRA) were due to discuss a motion calling for uniformed members to be issued with tasers at the organisation’s Annual General Meeting in Wexford yesterday evening.
Gardai from all over the country are attending the conference at which a number of important motions are due to be debated. The organisation’s spokesperson, John O’Keeffe, said the association has called for the roll-out of non-lethal tasers for many years. Speaking on national radio ahead of this week’s AGM he highlighted an incident that occurred in Dublin within the last week in which a Garda was struck with a metal baseball bat while trying to conduct a search of a man along with a colleague.
The Garda was hospitalised as a result of his injuries.
With regard to the type of people who carry out such attacks Mr O’Keeffe said many of them are ‘incapable of obeying simple instructions from an officer of the peace’.
He said that if officers are issued with tasers they will have ‘a fighting chance of protecting themselves’.
The President of the Association, Ciaran O’Neill, also spoke on the matter on RTE’s, News At One, and said the organisation wants tasers rolled out to rank and file members for their protection.
At present only members of the specialised armed response units are equipped with tasers but rank and file members argue they are the ones who are usually the first responders when incidents occur.
The GRA is also calling for the introduction of body cameras with the aim of having clearer evidence at crime scenes and to reduce incidents of false allegations against members.
Upgrading of stab vests is another matter due to be discussed at the meeting this week.