Drew Harris: Continuing career of a strong disciplinarian

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has had a busy time since he first travelled south from Belfast to Dublin to take over the leadership of the Garda Síochána, following a troubled chapter in the force's history.

In that time, he has built a reputation as a strong disciplinarian, one who has suspended more than 80 gardaí across the State – roughly double of the norm under his predecessors.

Over the coming years, Mr Harris will have responsibility for implementing sweeping reforms of the force, under the Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill, legislation currently making its way through the Oireachtas.

The draft laws propose a radical – and contentious – overhaul of police oversight, governance and accountability. This is sharply disliked by many in his ranks, and parts of it he has criticised strongly himself.

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‘Big disappointment’

Now, he should have time both to see the introduction of the legislation and to manage its operational effects on the ground before his new term of office expires in 2025.

Though the Garda Síochána has rarely been a happy camp under any Garda Commissioner, there is no shortage of voices in the force which argue that Harris’s term so far has been “a big disappointment”.

“There is growing disquiet among the frontline who have found his tenure a big disappointment. It was expected he’d bring a new dynamic to the position and fight for the resources and training that is needed.

“What we’ve seen is lecturing and pontification about ethics and discipline and an emphasis on recruiting and resourcing Garda civilian staff while the sworn side of the organisation is actually crumbling and falling apart. Frontline units are in tatters,” said one quarter.

‘Closed shop’

The arrival of some former PSNI colleagues to join him in Garda HQ in Phoenix Park has provoked predictable outrage: "With so many ex-PSNI in the senior ranks, positions are a closed shop for internal promotions," said one.

Last September, Yvonne Cooke left as the PSNI's head of human resources to take up a similar role at Garda HQ, while Paula Hillman left the PSNI to take charge of the Garda's roads policing and community engagement.

The criticism is pointedly rejected by the Garda Press Office: “There 227 Garda members in the ranks of commissioner, deputy commissioner, assistant commissioner, chief superintendent and superintendent.

“Currently within An Garda Síochána there is one commissioner, one assistant commissioner and four superintendents who previously worked for the PSNI,” the statement said.