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The Journal
28-04-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
Garda body accuses Drew Harris of leaving 'legacy of fear and distrust' at annual conference
DREW HARRIS HAS been accused of leaving a 'legacy of fear and distrust' among gardaí after his almost seven-year stint in the Garda Commissioner job, according to an officers' body. The Garda Representatives Association (GRA) further accused of Commissioner Drew Harris of dismantling community policing thanks to reforms pushed through during his term overseeing the force. The GRA kicked off its annual conference this week in Killarney, Co Kerry. At the outset it has outlined a belief that the role of a frontline garda has been diminished and degraded, with this year's conference carrying the theme 'It Was a Job Worth Doing'. At the core of its criticism was the Operating Policing Model which was introduced in 2019. This has seen a restructuring at regional and divisional levels, with the ambition having been to improve community policing according to the needs of each local community. But GRA General Secretary Ronan Slevin said that Harris has implemented a model of policing that 'isn't working', claiming that it has 'single handedly removed community policing' from Ireland. The GRA, which represents over 11,000 officers, said that this was because Harris had has tried to implement a 'failed' UK model. 'If you were to analyze the commissioner's term, I suppose you'd have to say that he's implemented an operation policing model that isn't working. He has removed community policing from Ireland, which was the envy of Europe. The system we had, that's completely gone,' Slevin told reporters. 'He's had the biggest budget available to him over his career, over his term of office, yet we still have serious issues in relation to recruitment and retention within the force. 'I believe that the numbers we currently have are the same that were in the force when the Commissioner took up his role, even though the population has increased exponentially.' Ronan Slevin at today's GRA conference CONOR Ó MEARÁIN CONOR Ó MEARÁIN There is also much anger towards Harris because of a 'severe' discipline and suspension policy, Slevin said, further claiming this has hampered members when using force while policing. He added that the number of gardaí currently serving is roughly the same as when Harris took up his role, despite promises to increase the number of officers. Advertisement Deputy GRA General Secretary James Morrisroe said that community policing is about 'frontline police knowing their communities while being visible and engaged in those communities', which he said allows these gardaí to develop respectful partnerships to solve problems and achieve community safety. 'That is not happening,' Morrisroe said, 'It's plain to see. And I think members of the public tell us on a daily basis, it's not happening.' Quoting the Commission on the Future of Policing , the 2021 report outlining recommendations for the organisation, Morrisroe said that it noted that 'the culture should be one of a team of professionals working together, not a hierarchy where foot soldiers await instructions from above'. Morrisroe added that the report said that communication should be 'personal interaction' and not written documents. 'We see that every single day in an Garda Síochána, where documents are posted on our portal and we're supposed to read them and train up on them. And that is not what the Commission of the Future of Policing recommended,' Morrisroe said. 'Employees should have the tools, training, uniform, vehicles and equipment needed to do their jobs. Well, we don't, so that's a failure.' This was the latest edition of the conference where the Garda Commissioner was not invited. Two years ago, the membership of the association voted overwhelmingly that they had no confidence in Harris and therefore did not invite him to attend. This has seen the new Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan also not attend the annual gathering. Contacted for comment, a Garda spokesperson said on behalf of the commissioner that he was happy to work with the GRA and gardaí on the issues raised. 'As he has done in the past, Commissioner Harris would have been more than happy to attend the GRA conference and engage with GRA delegates on important matters for all Gardaí at the GRA conference, as well as recognise the great work done by Gardaí every day in keeping people safe,' the spokesperson said. 'However, the GRA Central Executive Committee has not invited the Garda Commissioner to address and discuss such matters directly with Gardaí at the GRA's Conference. 'An Garda Síochána continues to meet with all Garda Associations, collectively, and separately on a wide range of issues.' Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
The Irish Sun
28-04-2025
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
Drew Harris has ‘legacy of fear & mistrust' with rank-and-file gardai as GRA blast top cop for ‘failed' policing model
DREW Harris has left a 'legacy of fear and mistrust' with rank-and-file members, frontline gardai insist. The 2 GRA General Secretary Ronan Slevin said that Harris left 'a legacy of fear and mistrust in relation to our members' Credit: CONOR Ó MEARÁIN And they say he has 'failed' to implement policies recommended by the Commission on Future Policing. The Commissioner will finish up in his role in September, when he is due to retire. Speaking ahead of the conference kicking off today, GRA General Secretary Ronan Slevin said: 'If you were to analyse the Commissioner's term I suppose you'd have to say that he's implemented an operational policing model that is not working. Read more in News 'Single-handedly he has removed community policing from Ireland, the system we had, that's completely gone. 'He's had the biggest budget available to him over his term of office, yet we still have serious issues in relation to recruitment and retention within the force. 'I believe that the numbers we currently have are the same that were in force when the Commissioner took up his role, even though the population has increased exponentially. 'He's responsible for the application of a severe discipline and suspension policy which has hampered our members in utilising or being confident in the use of force when doing their job. Most read in Irish News 'I suppose you could say that he's left a legacy of fear and mistrust in relation to our members.' James Morrisroe, the GRA's Deputy General Secretary, insists that the Operating Policing Model is simply not working. 'FAILED UK MODEL' The association, which represents over 11,000 rank and file gardai, want an immediate review of the divisional system which was introduced in 2019. Morrisroe said: 'The operational policing model is a failed 'So, it's based on the commission of future police. And seven years ago, the blueprint going forward, when Commissioner Harris took up his role, was commission of future policing. 'I went through that, and I looked through it, and the operation policing model as it is now is anything but what was recommended in that. HARRIS STATEMENT 'I wonder what the authors of the Commissioner of Future Policing who put a lot of time and effort into it, think of the current system that's in place.' In a statement, Commissioner Harris said: 'Not withstanding the decision of the GRA Central Executive Committee to not invite me to the Annual Delegate Conference, I remain, as always, open to productive and fruitful engagement with all the Staff Associations, particularly at Annual Conferences, which offer an unparalleled opportunity for professional and respectful engagement.' 2 Garda Commissioner Drew Harris will finish up in his role in September, when he is due to retire Credit: PA
Irish Daily Mirror
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Irish Daily Mirror
Garda union boss slams Commissioner Drew Harris over 'legacy of fear & mistrust'
The leading Garda union has slammed Commissioner Drew Harris' legacy on the force - just months before he steps down. 'I suppose you could say that he's left a legacy of fear and mistrust in relation to our members,' Garda Representative Association (GRA) General Secretary Ronan Slevin said on Monday evening. Mr Slevin was speaking at the opening of the 11,200-strong organisation's annual conference, being held over three days in Killarney, Co Kerry. The conference also heard calls for trainee gardai to have their pay almost doubled. Mr Slevin made his comments about the Commissioner as Mr Harris, who has been at the helm of the force since September 2018, prepares to retire later this year. He had been due to retire in June, but the government has asked him to stay on until September - so it can find a replacement. But his relations with the GRA - which represents members of Garda rank in the 14,000-strong force - have deteriorated in recent years and he was not invited to this year's conference. The same thing happened last year - following an almost unanimous vote of no confidence in Mr Harris by GRA members in September 2023. Now, with Mr Harris' tenure coming to an end, the GRA leadership pulled no punches when asked what his legacy would be. And Mr Slevin highlighted the Commissioner's introduction of the so-called Operating Policing Model. That is aimed at making the force more modern - but garda associations are opposed to it as they claim it damages community links. When asked what Commissioner Harris' legacy would be, Mr Slevin said: 'If you were to analyse the commissioner's term, I suppose you'd have to say that he's implemented an operation policing model that isn't working. "(It) single handedly has removed community policing from Ireland, which was the envy of Europe. The system we had, that's completely gone.' And he also criticised him for not increasing Garda numbers - and not persuading serving officers to stay in the job. He said: 'He's had the biggest budget available to him over his term of office, yet we still have serious issues in relation to recruitment and attention within the force. 'I believe that the numbers we currently have are the same that were in force when the commissioner took up his role, even though the population has increased exponentially. 'He's responsible for the application of a severe discipline and suspension policy which has hampered our members in being confident in the use of force when doing their job. 'And I suppose you could say that he's left the legacy of fear and mistrust in relation to our members.' Mr Slevin also said the next Commissioner - set to be announced by Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan in July - had work to do to rebuild officers' confidence. He said: "We have a long list of issues and concerns that started quite a number of years ago, and we have been endeavouring over those years trying to consult and negotiate with the Commissioner on those. That never happened. 'I think that any new incoming commissioner has to initially address the concerns that the members have on the ground. 'There is a serious recruitment problem. It is well documented at this stage, and there's a serious retention problem, and the new commissioner can address the retention issue nearly immediately, removing some of the bureaucracy that's required on a daily basis, supporting the members on the front line. The policing model isn't working. 'Instead of following the government plan, the commissioner has to independently assess the policing plan that's out there and adapt the plan to ensure that the public get the best service that they require, while also listening to the members on ground. 'We're the experts, we're the ones that are enforcing the law every day of the week, and we're the ones that are encountering the problems, and it seems to be a blockage with those issues going up to the current Commissioner.' He also repeated fears raised by the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors earlier this month that the number of officers who can retire in the coming years could lead to an exodus from the force. He said: 'I can see an accelerated rate of retirements now that we have members coming to 30 year service. 'There's a glut of members that will come to that service within the next two or three years, we'll be talking close on three or 4000 members will be eligible to retire in total. 'And if those issues aren't addressed, I could see the numbers dip well below 14,000 and then there will be serious issues.' Meanwhile GRA President Mark O'Meara has called for the allowance paid to trainee gardai to be almost doubled. Trainees are currently paid €350 a week - but the GRA wants that hiked to €670 a week. Mr O'Meara said: 'It has to be addressed, and has to be addressed now. 'It has to happen. End of story. 'We can have sound bites that are going to fill headlines, but that's not going to fill garda stations. 'It's not going to put boots and men and women on men and women on the streets to enforce police - we're seeing that. 'They just have to do it. It's not a choice. If you want to take this seriously and to solve the issue, then you have to resource it - it costs money.' We have asked An Garda Siochana and the Department of Justice for comment.
