Over 1,500 gardaí preparing for crowds of 750,000 at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2025 in Wexford
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The Journal
12 hours ago
- The Journal
Garda warns of serious flaw in car chase policy as 'no drivers' trained in pursuit skills
THERE IS A serious flaw in the new garda pursuit policy as no garda is specifically trained to chase fleeing criminals in cars, a garda representative has claimed. Mark Ferris, who is a detective garda and an official with the Garda Representative Association (GRA), has gone public with serious concerns around the strategy used by An Garda Síochána to pursue vehicles. Ferris, writing in the latest quarterly Emergency Services Ireland magazine , has outlined that there is a gap in garda training. The detective said that gardaí are trained to respond rapidly to calls, known as response driving, but they are not specifically trained to deal with the rigours and danger of a pursuit. Since 2019 gardaí who are permitted to drive patrol cars have been trained and cleared through a qualifications known as Competency Based Driving (CBD). CBD One allows them drive but not respond on lights and sirens – CBD Two allows them to drive with the lights and sirens. Gap in training What Ferris has identified is a gap in training that while some members are qualified to drive fast and rapidly through traffic they are not trained in the specific skillset needed to manage a pursuit. 'There is no member of An Garda Siochana trained and appropriately authorised in pursuit driving which renders the policy inoperable. 'Competency Based Driving 2 (CBD2) drivers (which make up the vast majority of response drivers) are not trained in any element of pursuit. 'Response driver training, as governed by the Emergency Services Driving Standard (ESDS) in An Garda Síochána, is frequently conflated with pursuit driving, highlighting a misalignment between organisational policy, operational implementation and public messaging. 'Driving to an emergency situation such as an armed robbery in progress with blue lights and sirens on is not, and should not, be confused with pursuit driving,' he said. Ferris has outlined the differences between response driving and pursuit driving. 'While pursuit driving requires active evasion and awareness of a driver's refusal to stop it also requires a level of competence to engage, while response driving is a distinct driving activity that allows trained members, for example under CBD2, to exceed normal driving standards when responding to emergency incidents. 'These fundamental differences highlight how the two activities should never be confused or conflated,' he said. Ferris said the College of Policing (the UK police training centre) has advised that non-pursuit trained drivers must not continue pursuits. Advertisement 'On closer view, the entire CBD driver training model also has no element of pursuit driving incorporated across any of its facets. Tactical vehicle containment or the use of vehicle stopping devices do not constitute pursuit driving techniques or the required level of competence with which to engage in pursuit driving,' he added. Ferris said Britain's College of Policing's pursuit framework 'explicitly stipulates' that all personnel involved in pursuit management, including control room staff, tactical advisors, and drivers, MUST undergo standardised training. The detective garda said this is not an advisory comment in Britain but is a 'foundational governance requirement' for lawful pursuits in the UK. Ferris said that the garda policy directive must be invalidated to prevent unacceptable risks to members of the public, gardaí and the organisation. A garda car at the scene of an incident in County Galway. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo The garda response Speaking at the Oireachtas Justice Committee in June , Commissioner Drew Harris addressed the issue of training but said that a policy had been implemented to manage pursuits. 'There is more training that needs to be done in respect of pre-planned pursuit. If there is a spontaneous pursuit, the obligation on the garda member is to report what is happening to control. 'A risk assessment is then conducted by qualified individuals in the control room. There is no blanket policy against pursuit. What we have put in place is a policy to empower and enable but there is specific training required,' he said. A garda spokesman said the force introduced a 'spontaneous pursuit' policy in December 2024 following consultation with the garda representative associations. 'Where feasible, the first priority should be to prevent a pursuit from taking place,' the spokesman said. The garda statement said that the decision to engage in a pursuit must be done in the interests of public safety, to prevent crime and to apprehend offender. 'A key consideration is to ask if the pursuit is necessary and balanced against threat, risk and harm for which the subject driver is being/about to be pursued,' he said. The garda spokesman said that gardaí must comply with 'fundamental principles, of legality, necessity, proportionality and accountability' as well as in keeping with international human right laws. The spokesman said that An Garda Síochána has previously been subject of 'adverse criticism' that the previous pursuit policy was too restrictive. The spokesman said current documents provide guidance to gardaí in the use of pursuit tactics and pursuit management in order to reduce the risk, rather than 'a prescriptive process'. It is understood that the policy does not specifically require pursuits to be halted in the absence of either a pursuit trained driver or a serious incident dispatcher. The garda statement did not specifically address the training standards. 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 Journal
a day ago
- The Journal
Man arrested after ecstasy tablets worth €235,000 seized in Co Monaghan
A MAN IN his 20s has been arrested after ecstasy tablets worth €235,000 were seized in Co Monaghan. The seizure was the result of a targeted joint operation involving An Garda Síochána and Revenue's Customs Service. In the course of the joint operation, a residential property in Monaghan was searched today. Advertisement This led to MDMA (ecstasy) tablets with an estimated street value of €235,000 being seized. The drugs seized will be sent to Forensic Science Ireland for analysis. A man in his 20s was arrested at the scene and is currently being detained at a station in the Garda North Western Region. A garda spokesperson said investigations are ongoing. Meanwhile, a Revenue spokesperson said that if businesses or members of the public have any information, they can contact Revenue in confidence on Confidential Phone Number 1800 295 295. 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 Journal
a day ago
- The Journal
First static speed camera in Dublin city to become operational next week
THE FIRST STATIC safety speed camera in Dublin city will become operational next week. It's going to be located on Dolphin's Barn in Dublin 12 and will be placed alongside the Maxol garage on the Crumlin Road. Location of where the new speed camera will be Google Maps Google Maps It will commence operation from Friday 1, August. A garda spokesperson said Dolphin's Barn was identified as part of a wider national analysis as being a road 'which could benefit from the implementation of a safety camera'. Advertisement The spokesperson added that the location was selected based on fatal and serious injury collision data from the last seven years, as well as speed data and feedback from stakeholders. Vehicles detected driving in excess of the speed limit will be subject to prosecution from 12pm on Friday, 1 August. Prosecution of speeding offences takes place by Fixed Charge Notice (FCN) and the current FCN is a €160 fine accompanied by three penalty points. Meanwhile, Dublin City Council said it is 'pleased to see the introduction of the first ever static speed camera within the Council area'. A spokesperson said the Council worked closely with An Garda Síochána to facilitate the installation and initial operation of the camera. 'Dublin City Council will continue to work together with An Garda Síochána on road safety and measures which can help to improve road safety for all,' added the spokesperson. 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
