Anti-corruption unit to crack down on gardaí
New plans will enhance powers to stop wrongdoing in the force
A NEW plan to crack down on gardaí abusing their power for sexual gain and other forms of corruption within the force has been launched by Justice Minister Helen McEntee.
Under the new plan, the Garda Anti-Corruption Unit will be given a range of enhanced duties, including ensuring that members of the force are not misusing Garda information and communication systems.
This includes issues such as professional boundaries, the abuse of power for sexual gain, conflict of interest/business interests, substance testing, vetting, discontinued court cases and the operation of the statutory exemption from fixed charge penalties in emergency situations.
The minister acknowledged yesterday that while the ‘vast majority’ of gardaí conduct themselves properly, members are ‘open to the threat of corruption’.
The Fine Gael TD secured the Government’s approval to publish a detailed implementation plan to address the recommendations of the Garda Inspectorate’s report on Countering the Threat of Internal Corruption, which was published in March 2021.
The report contained 34 recommendations for strengthening anti-corruption measures and improving safeguarding, with 32 recommendations accepted in full, while two were partially accepted.
One recommendation included that An Garda Siochána should develop, publish and implement a strategy and a policy to mitigate the threat of abuse of power for sexual gain.
‘This policy should highlight the dangers of relationships where a position of power can be abused for emotional or sexual purposes and provide guidance for the Garda workforce and supervisors on the key indicators of such relationships and the appropriate organisational response to the issue,’ the plan said.
Communications and awareness briefings on the new policy, including the abuse of power for sexual gain, is also ongoing.
The Garda Anti-Corruption Unit is also providing training to new recruits in the Garda College in Templemore. It is also expected that testing Garda members for substance misuse will begin in the last three months of this year, following consultation with the Garda associations and uUnions.
The Garda Anti-Corruption Unit will inherit a range of new powers under the plan, including assuming responsibility for identifying misuse of information and communication technology devices and systems by the Garda workforce. The unit would ‘proactively monitor all Garda information and communication technology devices and systems, based on intelligence, analysis and systems by the Garda workforce’.
The force will also be tasked with reviewing people’s use of technology systems, following ‘identified or suspected unethical behaviour or misconduct’.
Policies and procedures on conflict of interests are currently being drawn up and are expected to be completed by the first quarter of next year.
A Commission will also be set up next year to research the issue of post-employment activities of Garda workforce.
If it is required, the Department of Justice will consider developing rules and procedures to reduce the risk of conflicts of interest after gardaí leave the force.
Gardaí will also raise awareness of the Garda policy on gifts, hospitality and sponsorship.
Minister McEntee said that ‘significant work’ has already been undertaken to counter Garda corruption.
‘Clear policies and procedures are in place for reporting and dealing with wrongdoing,’ she said.
‘Professionalism and integrity is taught and promoted right from training in Templemore for new recruits through to each and every rank and grade in An Garda Síochána. To support the Commissioner in this work, we have
‘Drug testing will begin this year’
‘You have to plan to prevent a crisis’
enacted legislation to enable testing of personnel for controlled drugs in An Garda Síochána, and my officials are working on supporting legislation to bring this into effect.
‘My department will continue to work closely with An Garda Síochána and the Policing Authority to ensure targets are being met and recommendations are implemented in accordance with this plan.’
Social Democrats’ justice spokeswoman and co-leader Cather ine Murphy welcomed the publication of the strategy and said it was important to have a plan before issues arise. ‘The very fact that there’s a plan is important,’ she told the Mail.
‘Having a plan and preventing something from happening in the first place is way better than something emerging that becomes a crisis.
‘You have to plan to prevent a crisis. I’m all in favour of taking a longer-term view.’