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A record number of Garda members were suspended from their duties last year on a series of charges including sexual misconduct; drug-related, corrupt, or criminal misconduct; and even activity on social media.
Garda sources said the focus of force discipline had changed since Garda Commissioner Drew Harris was appointed in September 2018.
Earlier this year, some 73 Garda staff members were suspended from their duties pending the results of various investigations into them, according to data released in response to a Freedom of Information request. This was approximately twice the rate of suspensions usually in effect in the period prior to Mr. Harris’ appointment.
Culture change
Garda headquarters said the Garda Office of Ethics and Culture was collecting statistical data on the cultural shift in the force, which included data on suspensions, firings and complaints.
Of the 73 Garda staff members suspended through January 5, 42 were suspended last year, while 31 suspensions were prior to last year and continued through 2020.
Included in the 42 new suspensions last year, 12 related to alleged disparaging conduct and another 12 for alleged criminal conduct. Eight of the suspensions related to alleged corrupt or improper practices. There was a suspension for charges in each of the following categories: sexual misconduct, social networking sites, drug-related, intoxication, intimidation, fraud, inappropriate association, misconduct toward another Garda member, abuse of authority, and dishonesty.
Dishonorable conduct
On the other hand, last year 205 members of the Garda were found to have violated discipline and were fined a total of 32,655 euros.
The largest fine was an unspecified sum equal to four weeks’ salary for a Garda member found guilty of disgraceful conduct. The second most important fine was 3,000 euros, also for dishonorable conduct.
A fine of 2,500 euros was also imposed for “falsehood or prevarication.” Gardaí was also fined for negligence of duty, criminal conduct and abuse of authority. Details of the results of the disciplinary case and the separate cases involving suspensions were released in response to a Freedom of Information request.
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