GARDA CHARLIE HANGS UP HIS HAT
Garda Charlie Jordan with his wife Pauline, daughter Lisa and son Cathal at Sligo Garda Station at yesterday’s function to mark his retirement after 38 years of stellar service with An Garda Síochána, largely in Sligo town.
IF THE NUMBER of messages wishing retiring Sligo Garda Charlie Jordan well is a way to measure the high regard there is for him, then the Mayo native is one of the most popular members of the force ever. Charlie, who retired yesterday, Wednesday, having served for 38 years, was the recipient of many tributes from colleagues, former and present, and from the general public with whom he clearly has a marvellous connection.
At an open-air gathering at the rear of Sligo Garda station Superintendent Mandy Gaynor said Charlie was “in the hearts of everybody in Sligo”.
From Aghamore in Mayo, Charlie worked on the buildings in his native county in his early twenties and then joined the force in October 1983. Now 60, Charlie spent the bulk of his time in Sligo, his first posting was to Ballymote followed by five years in Blacklion, another stint in Ballymote and then his final move to Sligo where he served as a garda on the beat, as a member of the Sligo Garda Drugs Unit and most recently as a Community garda, largely based in Cranmore.
Supt Gaynor said Charlie had “an esteemed and distinguished” career in An Garda Síochána and was a perfect example of how a community garda does their job: “We keep community as an important part of our policing and certainly Charlie was in the hearts of everybody in the Sligo community, particularly in Cranmore.
“There isn't a house where he wouldn't be welcome for a cup of tea, there isn't a child on the street that wouldn't know him.
“He is a true example of what community policing is about, he does his job with empathy and with assertiveness, is strict where it is needed and is empathetic where it is opportune, but he always got the job done, in his own special way.”
Reflecting on almost 40 years as a garda, Charlie said while he was looking forward to retirement, he would particularly miss his colleagues and the many people he had encountered along the way. Charlie said he enjoyed the job, but there were difficult days, particularly when he and colleagues were dealing with a death through misadventure or a road traffic collision. “In those circumstances you are the professional, you have to help people and bear in mind people are expecting you to show empathy and leadership at what is a very difficult time for everyone, I suppose to put it in one word, you have to be professional.
Asked what advice he would offer to young people coming into the job, he said: “Keep your feet on the ground and to treat people the way you would wish to be treated yourself. I know these days technology, transport and more are all parts of the job, but they tend to leave you remote from the public so there is a time too when you have to meet people, talk to them and where you can, get out on the beat.” Offering a view on the most effective form of policing he quickly replied: “Community Policing is the way to go, you have to know the people, there has to be respect for you and if you are doing the job right you will find people have trust and confidence in you.”
Outside work, Charlie’s passion has always been the GAA and his beloved St John’s in Sligo. When he arrived in Sligo he immediately joined the club and as he says himself “played every position but as the clock ticked on they moved me further up the field and I ended up at full forward.”
Married to Pauline, they have twin daughters Jean and Lisa and a son Cathal.
Former colleague, retired Sgt Con Lee, who worked with Charlie when the local garda drugs unit was first formed in 1998, remains a close friend. He described him as “one of the soundest people you could meet.”
Con said: “Charlie, Willie
O’Neill, Pauline McDonagh, Séamus Kearns and myself were the team in that first unit and he was a pleasure to work with, was 100 per cent dedicated and everyone within and outside the force had great time for him.
“On a personal level outside work he was again a great person to have as a friend and would have given me great help and support over the years.”
At yesterday’s function held at the rear of Sligo Garda station colleagues gathered to wish Charlie well. There were many tributes from the community and An Garda Siochana, time and again the words “professional” and “caring” were repeated as those who knew him best offered a view on a garda who “everybody in Sligo in knew and respected”.