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THE GARDA SÍOCHÁNA are ready to start asking for feedback from the public after months of scandal and controversy, it has emerged.
The force yesterday put out a tender for polling firms to conduct a series of “Public Attitudes Surveys”, which will include questions like “How much do you trust An Garda Síochána?” and “How would you describe crime in Ireland today?”
The document calls for roughly 12 questions on the following general areas:
The survey, the first of its kind since 2008, will seek out the public’s views on how they feel about the force, and what they would like Gardaí in their local community to prioritise.
The tender document also suggests that the questionnaire ask victims of crime “How satisfied or dissatisfied were you with how the incident was dealt with overall?”
Yesterday’s announcement comes after a series of scandals and controversies within the Garda Síochána, culminating in the resignation of Commissioner Martin Callinan, the publication of the Guerin Report, and the subsequent resignation of Justice Minister Alan Shatter.
A Garda spokesperson did not address the question of whether recent events had prompted the planned survey, but told TheJournal.ie in a statement:
The survey is part of our plans to ensure we are listening to the public about what they want from their police service.Carrying out such a scientific survey on a regular basis will help us to properly track public sentiment and views so that we can continually improve how we deliver our service.
Several of the questions are focused on victims of crime as we want to ensure that they are being helped to their satisfaction and, if not, how we can improve this.
The Garda conducted Public Attitudes Surveys annually throughout the 2000s, but stopped in 2008.
That year’s poll found 81% overall public satisfaction with Garda service to the community, but eight percent claimed a member of the force had “acted in an unacceptable way” towards them, in the previous 12 months.
Scroll down to read the 2008 survey in full. If you’re on a mobile app, CLICK HERE.
A spokesperson for An Garda Síochána did not respond to requests for comment, by time of publication.
http://www.garda.ie/Documents/User/24.%20GARDA%20PUBLIC%20ATTITUDES%20-%202008.pdf
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For me its a question of faith in the justice system, not trust in the guards. I don’t mistrust the guards, I’d have no problems approaching one or talking to them. I believe that the vast majority of guards are doing the best job they can in the public interest. But as far as putting my neck on the line in reporting crimes or whatever goes, I would think very carefully about it.
If someone in your locality assualts you, and you report them to the guards, they’ll get picked up most likely, but they’ll be back in the streets throwing insults or bottles and bricks at you later that week. Then 2 years later they might get convicted and handed a suspended sentence because their mam drinks, or they grew up poor.
I find it’s the city centre stations that are the least trustworthy. Personally, I would avoid those where possible and head for the smaller stations if needs be.
Great point and very fair
Unfortunately it doesn’t matter (from an investigation point of view) where you report the crime; it will be investigated by the station where the crime occurred.
Chances are you’ll have a friendly approach by suburbs stations I’d imagine.
Guards should take part in a survey on how they feel they are treated by the public… Now that I would be interested in!
Good point!
Excellent Point Lara
Whatever about trusting them, I’d like to congratulate those involved in getting a prosecution in that Roy Collins case. Unable to comment on that story-it’s so great to see those animals off the street…
Garda yes, commissioners and ministers no
They should start by having an actual presence on the streets, I hardly ever see a garda walking around town these days, esp at night.
Gardai and trust mmmm. That’s a debatable combination at the moment. Unfortunately no doubt it’s the minority letting the majority down.
Never mind trusting them, we need a damn lot more of them. You can go weeks if not months in small country towns without seeing a single guard. Siberian Russia probably has more police coverage than rural Ireland.
What’s the point in them doin a survey that will be twisted to say what they want ? Another coat of whitewash
Completely agree with Jonathan here. Why should we believe what the say about themselves. Can the journal please run a poll on this as well?
About as much as I trust gypsies and the politicians
The best police force in the world in my opinion are the Garda
I shouldn’t have to trust them. There should be a robust oversight of every individual in the State with any power whatsoever. The genius of modern democracy is that after centuries we realized that nobody is to be trusted with unlimited power – but there’s a constant danger of becoming complacent and assuming that people become innately trustworthy just because they studied law and became a judge, or because they went to Templemore for a couple of years.
Excellent.
I trust them to look after each other. the rest of us? Well that depends on who you know….
After recent revelations about whistle-blowers and taped conversations I am afraid my trust in the Gardaí is almost ZERO
The way they, the ordinary guards, treat members of the Garda Reserve is an absolute disgrace. It would not be tolerated in any other Police force.
Proven:
Liars…Smithwick Morris et al
Drug dealers….latest whistleblower
Bullies..Whistle blower treatment
Corrupt….Smithwick Morris et al, Tuscan Du Plantier
Lawless….dealing with Shell to Shore, Dublin on 25 February 2006/03 November 2010, Shannon Airport Protests
Private Army…. Thugs for hire Evictions Shell to Shore all Government anti people activity
Trust nah….raw fear yes!
What is this “Shell to Shore” you speak of?
I suddenly have a thirst for a pint of smithwicks
Drunk driver crashed into my wall recently at 7pm on a Monday night, stolen car, called local station twice rang out. Third time answered. Told me ring 999. Did that. Eventually turned up and had no interest whatsoever in arresting culprits. Too much hassle for them. Lazy and disgraceful attitude. Formal complaint in progress.
You called the police on a drunk driver. You are a rat. Poor fellow had a few beers and you rat on him. Rats are the worst in society. Says everything about you. In glad he got away.
You’re an example of those that wouldn’t call the Garda if someone was attacked right in front of you I’ll bet! What an arse!
Damn right I wouldn’t call the cops. I don’t get involved. I take out my phone and video it. Unlike you john flood who embraces rats, I stamp on them. Solve your own problems and don’t be looking on others to clean up your mess. If I have a problem with someone I don’t call the cops, I sort it myself. But if you’re a coward or rat then call them
A dirty force from top to bottom. I personally know 3 gards. All nice people. They change once they are in uniform. ACAB
Arse.
Not really an issue of trust, just feel half of them couldn’t be arsed helping you unless you are reporting something really serious that they know they will have to deal with.
If the people at the top are right, and doing their jobs properly, the rank and file should be right. The present hierarchy are tainted, and the post of Garda Commissioner should be filled from outside the force.
Too much power and not enough oversight. I remember the opposition to the setting up of the Garda Ombudsman. At that point, I lost trust.
The promotion system is still corrupt. Lots of connected people just got promoted while better suited candidates are left to rot because their face doesnt fit or they are from the wrong county for their chief or they dont have family in it or they speak up about incompetence or malpractice, the list goes on and on
The more things change, the more they stay the same.
Spot on. Nail on top of head !
We have had a Double Rapist just released into our area in the last week , no signs of any Guards around.
But plenty around at pub closing time…
If it’s a double rapist as you say then the guards already did there job, caught him and convicted him.
He has presumably now been released back into the community having completed a sentence. Your gripe should be with the judiciary, the system for allowing this type of person free.
That’s not the fault of the guards.
I would like to see An Garda raise the bar in recruitment – only university graduates. Countries like Germany and others stipulate applicants to be hold a degree in law, or related studies. When you raise the bar the conduct of the Garda would dramatically improve, for the better of the state.
I’d also like to see some sort of physical training guidelines too for active members – way too many wearing the short tie.
And last, get the Garda out of administrative duties and hire civilians for these duties to put more Garda on the streets. New York City is one of the safest cities in the world because of an overwhelming police presence. Would should learn from these ‘best’ practices!
On completion of training Gardaí are awarded a degree, BA in Applied Policing. This is a HETAC recognised qualification and the Garda College is certified to award this qualification by the Higher Education and Training Awards Council.
It should not be a prerequisite to hold a third level qualification for new recruits as this would exclude certain sections of out community towards entering a force that should be representative of the community they serve.
a law on to them self will never trust them again they give 2 fingers to the public
Maybe you drunkingly spent it on drink or lost it in your drunken state. You must have been very drunk to have been arrested on the night.
They have 100% tolerance of law breakers. At the back of Pearse street station they park their cars on the foothpath and wheelchairs can’t pass. If they are not their own cars they should at least ticket them or clamp them. Is there any profession in Ireland that is not corrupt? It’s the way we operate from politicians, councillors, bankers, builders, etc. we are a catholic nation so we can go to church and get forgiveness after every crime every week. Italy, Spain and Greece are the same. God forgives all.except the CEO of Rehab — even god has some principles.
Lol excellent.
Hang on- surely the official way to test how much we can trust them is to see how far we can throw them….
I always had a lot of respect for the gardai until they put me in a cell one night for being drunk, when I got my possessions back in the morning my wallet was 50 quid lighter!
There as crooked as sin.Never Trust a copper they will lie and do anything they can to get that conviction
I phoned them 3 times on the night of July the 13th about some Vandals breaking cars on the street, still waiting for them to arrive..july the 13th 2013 that is..still waiting.
I don’t think they’re coming Derek. Just stay at window in case.
You spud eaters are all corrupt in spudland. Why would you expect an honest police force.
The way they manhandle peaceful protesters most of the time, no.
Never seen so many red tumbs on so many posts pointing out the guards questionable actions, guess this answers what they do all day.
Same as you?
I’ve yet to see an article on Garda malpractice that wasn’t spammed by Gardai and their wags. You’d think the sacking of the highest copper in the land as well as the Justice Minister might convince them that there a few problems. Not to mention the various reports, tribunals and revelations which suggest a pretty toxic culture exists within some areas of the force.
More self defence laws should be passed as a person with no convictions of voilence should be allowed to carry pepper and stun guns as the streets are not safe and police numbers are to low to keep the public safe other wise good people will be mugged robbed ,maimed and raped with no law to help them defend themselfs!
In trouble … Need help … Don’t know where to turn …. And If you can find them … Call the “A ” team ……,
I know what I’d write about them would never make it to public knowledge, I suppose well never really know if where getting the right feedback. It’ll probably come out at the end “Garda best we’ve ever had” or some bollox no matter what we write. I might write a review of the show Cops instead. Be more interesting.
where will these questions ,as in what parts of dublin,or ireland be asked ,im sure it’ll be unfair due to area’s of qustioning or where its posted on social media………0/10 for mine …tallaght
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