Weak garda vetting and drug-testing worries PCSA
The garda oversight body has said that delays in implementing stronger vetting and drug-testing procedures for members of the force are “surprising”.
The Policing and Community Safety Authority (PCSA) says that vetting police personnel on an ongoing basis and randomly testing them for drugs or alcohol are standard practices in police services in other jurisdictions.
In a review of recommendations made in a 2020 report on countering internal corruption, the PCSA says that, while there has been some progress on vetting and testing, it cannot proceed further without legislation.
The review says that regulations to enable testing for substance misuse for existing personnel remain under development at the Department of Justice and have not yet been finalised.
While all successful applicants recruited to join the force are vetted, the PCSA says that legislation is required to enable in-service vetting.
Anti-corruption unit
Of 34 recommendations in the 2020 report, the PCSA says that 56% have been either implemented or partially implemented.
The body’s report acknowledges progress by An Garda Síochána in some areas:
- The formation and resourcing of a Garda Anti-Corruption Unit (GACU),
- The introduction of policies addressing issues of the abuse of power for sexual gain,
- The definition of professional boundaries, and
- The prohibition of acceptance of gifts from covert human intelligence sources (CHIS).
The review finds, however, that gardaí have still not adopted a policy or developed the technology to enable surveillance to prevent and detect the misuse of its IT systems.
Gifts
The PCSA also has concerns about the effectiveness of policies on gifts, hospitality, and sponsorship.
While there has been a reduction in the number of personnel accepting gifts of alcohol, the review says that gifts, hospitality, and sponsorship received are not being appropriately recorded and published.
A survey to assess the level of understanding of the risk of corruption was conducted as part of the PCSA review across a small number of garda divisions and two trainee intakes.
Among the findings, it found that 96% would report wrongdoing and 83% support in-service vetting.
In-career vetting
“Our review shows that significant progress has been made – perhaps the most important being to normalise anti-corruption as a necessary area of focus for all personnel,” said PCSA chair Elaine Byrne.
She added, however, that the lack of legislation for ongoing and routine in-career vetting and drug testing was a concern.
“These are elements of a modern police service that the public should rightly expect to be in place,” Byrne stated.