THE COUNTRY’S biggest Garda staff association is set to call for the introduction of stun guns for all members of the force and for HIV testing for attackers who bite gardaí or stab them with syringes.
The Garda Representative Association (GRA) annual conference, which starts in Killarney, Co Kerry, this evening will be dominated by debate on the increased violence faced by gardaí at a time when their pay and conditions are deteriorating.
Delegates are to warn that the cut in Garda recruitment is resulting in the force being reduced in number, leaving members overstretched and even more vulnerable to attack.
Garda delegates from the Sligo-Leitrim division have tabled a motion proposing the GRA’s central executive committee ask Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy to issue Taser stun guns to all members of the force.
The issue is being raised at a time when attacks have increased to around 800 per year, a doubling in frequency in the three years to 2007.
Garda management has responded by issuing stab proof vests to all members and incapacitant pepper sprays are also currently being purchased for distribution to gardaí.
However, some GRA members believe the level of violence against themselves and their colleagues necessitates firmer action and they believe stun guns are needed.
GRA president Michael O’Boyce will call for a new offence to be created specifically dealing with attacks on gardaí and members of the emergency services.
“The people of Ireland should be offended by an attack on its gardaí; an attack on a garda is a direct attack on our democratic society,” he said.
The average person would be shocked by the policing challenges posed by violence on the streets. Better training and legislative changes could offer better protection to gardaí.
The GRA represents more than 12,000 rank and file members in a near 15,000-strong force. Delegates from the Limerick division want the introduction of blood testing for assailants involved in biting and needle stab attacks against gardaí.
Motions have been proposed from delegates from a number of divisions calling on all attacks on gardaí to be properly recorded on the Garda’s Pulse computer system and then investigated by the Health Safety Authority.
There are also a large number of motions calling for no compromises to the safety of gardaí at work in light of the new recruitment and promotions freeze across the force.
The measures have been introduced as part of a wide programme of reduced expenditure across the public service.
Mr O’Boyce described as “a mistake” the Garda recruitment and promotion moratorium.
“The Government policy on public-sector pay cuts is the singular biggest incentive for members to retire at a time when recruitment is deferred.
More than ever, Ireland needs a well-trained, well-equipped and high motivated police force.” There are motions calling on Garda pay to be maintained given the increased risks faced by members on duty.
Representatives from the Tipperary division want the number of gardaí in rural divisions to be increased and want the force to be increased to 16,000 members and for the Garda fleet of vehicles not be neglected through cutbacks.
Other motions call on the Department of Justice to publish figures outlining the minimum number of members needed to maintain front-line policing services in each Garda division.
The Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy and Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern will both address delegates as will Mr O’Boyce and GRA general secretary PJ Stone.