The Gazette 1985

INCORPORATED LAW SOCIETY OF IRELAND GAZETTE

Vol. No. 79 No.6

July/August 1985

Comment

In this issue . . . Comment

Garda Training I N recent years, the Garda Siochana have been the subject of much criticism, the majority of it probably ill-justified. It is undeniable, though, that there has been a decline in morale in the Force, which may, in part at least, be attributable to shortcomings in training. Doubts as to the efficacy of the Force led to the appointment by the Commissioner of a Committee on Garda Training and to a report by the Dáil Select Committee on Crime, Lawless- ness and Vandalism. The Select Committee, in its deliberations, does not appear to have had the benefit of much input from outside sources. Happily, the Committee on Garda Training has received a large number of submissions from a wide range of community interests. The Law Society, representing a profession many of whose members have an unequalled opportunity of observing the operations of the Gardai on a day to day basis, has made a submission to the Committee. The first recommendation is for a stream-lining of the present unwieldy inefficient selection process and a restructuring of the civil service-dominated selection boards. In particular, psychological testing should be introduced at an early stage in the selection process in order to weed out those who are temperamentally unsuited to service in a police force. The principal recommendations of the Society concentrate on the improvement of the "sandwich-type" training programme for recruits. The initial training at Templemore, although well administered by a dedicated staff, is too short to achieve the necessary aims. Its brevity leads to an undesirable reliance on the lecture method; devoting more time to the course would enable policing skills and community relations aspects of the course to be covered more satisfactorily, in addition to the necessary knowledge of the law. The in-service segment of the training course would seem to be most in need of improvement; this must be seen as true training, with a structured programme under the direction of a training officer in each division. The trainee must be seen as a trainee and not as part of the ordinary strength of the division. Full attendance at the third segment of the course, which has not apparently been mandatory heretofore, is essential. It is in this part of the course that the experience which the trainee has gained during the in-service segment of training can be used to enhance his further training. Continuing education or training has become a standard practice in many walks of life. The Society has recommended that there should be continuing refresher (continued on page 219) 195

195

How EEC Law Affects Practitioners. Part VI . . .

197

Dáil Debates — Legal Profession

202

Tipperary Bar Association

202

Presentation of Parchments

204

Book Review

209

International Bar Association

210

Crossword

212

How do we clamp down on the problem

of Company Fraud?

213

Know Your Council 84/85

216

Correspondence

221

Professional Information

222

Executive Editor: Editorial Board:

Mary Buckley William Earley, Chairman John F. Buckley Gary Byrne Geraldine Clarke Charles R. M. Meredith Michael V. O'Mahony Maxwell Sweeney

Advertising: Printing:

Liam O hOisin, Telephone 305236 Turner's Printing Co. Ltd., Longford

The views expressed in this publication, save where other- wise indicated, are the views of the contributors and not necessarily the views of the Council of the Society. The appearance of an advertisement in this publication does not necessarily indicate approval by the Society for the product or service advertised.

Published at Blackhall Place, Dublin 7.