[ad_1]
Garda use of hoods has increased nearly 70 percent in the past week, according to new figures on applying the force of Covid-19 restrictions.
There were also 53 other incidents of compliance with emergency movement restrictions last week, a 38 percent increase in the total number.
Since the emergency regulations came into effect on April 8, Gardaí has started execution procedures against 192 people who were found in violation of movement restrictions and refused to comply with the garda’s instructions to comply with them.
This was due to “the hundreds and thousands of interactions” with the public, Garda said.
Some of these cases resulted in the arrest of the person. In other cases, the person’s name and address were taken and a case was forwarded to the Director of the Prosecutor’s Office.
Gardaí also made arrests or initiated legal proceedings in 1,432 incidents in which non-Covid-19 crimes were detected in the course of public health enforcement, compared to 1,172 the previous week.
“These range from incidents such as driving under the influence of alcohol or disqualified drivers detected at checkpoints, to seizures of drugs and weapons to crimes of public order,” said a Garda spokesman.
According to the latest weekly figures, which cover the period through last Saturday, Gardaí has been deliberately spit or coughed 64 times since early April.
They have used hoods, wires, and mesh face liners that are secured over prisoners’ heads 47 times, including 19 times last week.
“Unfortunately, we continue to see these disgusting and despicable spitting and coughing attacks on our staff,” said the Commissioner. Drew Harris said. “These are a significant risk to the health and safety of our members in today’s environment. We must protect them from such attacks.
“This includes having the option of using anti-saliva guards in very limited circumstances. We have made it clear that these anti-saliva guards should only be used as a last resort and in line with the Garda Decision-Making Model, which includes human rights and our Code of Ethics at its core. “
La Garda has said that saliva bells will only be deployed during the health crisis and their use will be reviewed in September. The Police Authority and the Irish Council for Civil Liberties have previously expressed concern over its use.
Garda said that overall compliance with movement restrictions remains very high and that the “vast majority” of people adhere to the rules.
“We thank the public for the continued high level of compliance with the health guidelines. By working together, we can reduce the spread of COVID-19 to help protect our family, friends, neighbors and colleagues, ”said Harris.
“At the beginning of the Covid-19 situation, I said that An Garda Síochána will continue to operate as a community-based police service with a focus on protecting the vulnerable. This approach will not change.
“Recent independent surveys show very high levels of public satisfaction with the way An Garda Síochána is operating in this difficult situation. This is testament to the work Garda staff is doing across the country in difficult circumstances. “
The Garda National Vetting Bureau has processed 21,542 requests for research for Covid-19 related roles, primarily in the healthcare system. The Office said that it is now fully up-to-date with its workload and that the applications are being turned over in a day.
[ad_2]