Lack of sanctions for poor performance led to some gardaí ‘deliberately avoiding traffic offences'

Irish Independent

6 days ago

An independent review also found that resource issues, including some gardaí not being able to access training to drive roads policing cars, contributed to a lack of productivity.
The Crowe Report did not uncover evidence of a systematic and organised culture of work avoidance, but found that a minority of gardaí were "able to get away with" being unproductive.
It was commissioned by Garda chief Drew Harris after he received confidential correspondence in June 2023 which raised concerns about Roads Policing Units (RPU), with over 100 gardaí spoken to by consultants.
In an internal message to all gardaí today, Mr Harris described the findings as 'shocking and disturbing'.
The full report, published this morning, found that some gardaí working in roads policing are unproductive, appear to be demotivated, and are unconcerned with doing an effective and professional job.
It said that while this was a minority, it was 'nonetheless a noticeable one', although the report said that the majority of RPU members were productive, professional and focused on improving road safety.
The report said that a minority were 'able to get away' with being unproductive 'to the frustration of their colleagues, supervisors and managers'.
The Crowe Report says that at the heart of the problem is the interpretation of an internal garda policy known as PALF (Performance and Learning Framework).
How this is being interpreted, to prevent supervisors from managing and evaluating individual roads policing gardaí, has been described as 'significantly frustrating the right of management to manage'.
The reviewers observed a 'marked reluctance amongst supervisors to proactively manage their staff resources and to hold RPU members to account'.
It added that there 'is a lack of effective sanctions' for poor performance with senior gardaí 'typically apprehensive that any attempt to invoke sanctions would create industrial relations problems with the GRA (Garda Representative Association).
Multiple reporting lines for RPU Inspectors were also identified as a contributory factor, with the Crowe Report suggesting that a more effective reporting and governance strategy should be considered.
'We found no evidence of a systematic, organised culture of work avoidance or deliberately poor performance within Roads Policing, and no evidence of bullying or dominance of RPU members by their colleagues,' it said.
'However, the absence of effective supervision and management, caused in large measure by the interpretation of the PALF policy, creates the circumstances in which such a culture has been able to take root'.
A significant number of vacancies within Roads Policing, which has dropped by 40pc since 2009, was also identified as a contributory factor to the lack of productivity.
Driver training was also highlighted as an issue, with some roads policing gardaí 'unable to access driver training to enable them to drive Roads Policing vehicles'.
The Crowe Report has recommended an immediate review of the PALF policy, and consideration should also be given to reporting and governance structures.
In a message to gardaí, Drew Harris said it is 'very disappointing' that the examiners found 'a significant cohort of officers who are disinterested, have a poor work ethic, and deliberately ignored offences.'
The Garda Commissioner also said that there needs to be a 'collective effort' by gardaí to deal with under-performance in roads policing.
Commenting on resource issues highlighted, Mr Harris said that 49 additional roads policing gardaí have been allocated within the last year, with more to be allocated in the coming months.
He added that €1m has been invested into road policing in the last 18 months with €5m in new fleet since 2022.