Gardaí need more modern firearms and better weapons training if they are to confront Ireland's growing gun culture as safely as possible, head of the Garda Inspectorate Kathleen O'Toole has said.
Ms O'Toole has also called for greater protection from intimidation for witnesses who agree to give evidence in gangland trials.
Ms O'Toole was "generally supportive" of measures aimed at gangland criminals contained in the Criminal Justice Bill. "Serious crime requires serious measures," she said.
Ms O'Toole told delegates at the annual conference of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors that she had been "frightened" to learn of the standard of weapons and protective equipment available to gardaí who responded to an armed siege last year.
"There was a heavily-armed man who was shooting a high-powered rifle from his home. When four Garda personnel went to the station in preparation to respond to that call, all that was available was an old Smith & Wesson revolver and an old [ bulletproof] vest. That was frightening when I heard that example."
It underlined the need for modern weapons and for all members to be trained in the use of weapons, even if they did not carry them every day.
Ms O'Toole believed stabproof and bulletproof vests should be issued to all members in "weeks and months, not years".
She also wanted pepper spray to be made available to gardaí. However, Ms O'Toole was "just starting to learn about bureaucracy" in Ireland.
She was currently studying the optimum number of officers who have qualified to carry firearms cards or licences. "People need to have familiarisation with weapons, especially when confronting weapons on a more regular basis," she said.
"We have talked to superintendents and others who have dealt with armed incidents and who have not been able to locate any card carriers who were readily available to go with them.
"It's something we think is essential. I would advocate better firearms training across the board."
Ms O'Toole also expressed concern at the closure of the Garda's only indoor firing range over a year ago and said less than lethal weapons should also be more available.
She also said the "frustration" experienced by gardaí in relation to gangland murders had challenged US police forces. "It's very difficult when drugs, gangs and guns emerge on the scene," she said. "It's frightening. We need people to come forward and co-operate with the police, but at the same time we need to protect them."
Ms O'Toole said the inspectorate's next report would outline a policing model for An Garda Síochána into the future. It would also make wide-ranging recommendations on equipment, accommodation, civilianisation and training. If these areas were improved morale would benefit.
The tribunals of inquiry into Garda corruption in the Donegal division, and into other matters, had been difficult for the force. She believed there were "brighter days" ahead in the near future.
While units like the Criminal Assets Bureau and the Garda National Drugs Unit had done "exceptional" work recently, there was room for improvement in other areas.
The Garda Inspectorate was working on recommendations on routine community policing and she believed these should form the bulk of An Garda Síochána, with specialist units "built on top".
Ms O'Toole also believed improvements in intelligence would bring better results. Policing needed to keep pace with developments in technology, she said.