The AGSI National Executive received a briefing from Inspector Greg Mekitarian, Pearse Street on a local initiative to deal with service level complaints early, in order to avoid them escalating and requiring detailed investigations.
This pilot has been in operation for six months in DMR South Central.
The pilot is designed to identify matters which are considered suitable for local intervention and are dealt with by the Inspector speaking with the ‘complainant’ and the Garda member involved.
Where a solution can be agreed between the two parties the matter is closed and progresses no further. The process is designed to represent the interest of both parties and is time-lined so as to conclude matters quickly.
AGSI raised this matter with GSOC when we met them in July. Justice Ring saw great merit in the initiative and was anxious to see it extended outside of DMR South Central. However, she did caution that for it to be successful careful consideration needed to be given to who was assigned the role. She was also keen to move slowly and with caution and had articulated this point to Garda management.
Since meeting with Inspector Mekitarian and GSOC, Garda management have briefed the Associations on the initiative. Garda management are anxious to move the pilot beyond the pilot site. They are currently looking at DMR West and the South Eastern region.
Garda management believe it will reduce the workload of Inspectors involved in carrying out GSOC investigations which take up an inordinate amount of time currently. AGSI remains to be convinced in this regard.
They have prepared a policy document which we are examining.
There may be merit in this initiative once:
- The member selected is suitable for the role
- Training is provided to allow them understand the role
- Members are not forced into the role; they should, where possible, be self-selecting once they meet the criteria for doing the job
- The additional role undertaken by the Inspector does not overburden them considering their existing portfolios
- Time is provided for the member to effectively deliver on the role
- Clarification is received from GSOC on how the ‘complaint’ is classified and reported on, in their reports
- Communications of the initiative is done comprehensively across the area in advance of the rollout
- Effective monitoring of the initiative takes place and issues identified rectified quickly
AGSI will be communicating our concerns to Garda management and ask that they take them on board as they plan an expansion of the intervention process.
Access to the WRCAGSI have been engaging proactively in a number of subgroups which form part of the work of the Working Group on Industrial Relations for An Garda Síochána, chaired by Mr John Murphy.
AGSI are currently providing input into the legislative sub-group which is looking at the legislative changes necessary to accommodate our access to the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) / Labour Court.
This group has recently published a draft Heads of Bill for referral to Government. This is the very early stages in the legislative process through the Dáil and Seanad. AGSI recognise this process must take its course but the progress is painstakingly slow from our perspective.
In the second group AGSI are working with the WRC and the other stakeholders in developing a dispute resolution process for An Garda Síochána when we are given access to the WRC.
AGSI are confident that the model developed will be bespoke for the Garda organisation which we hope will deliver real benefits to members in having disputes resolved at the earliest possible opportunity.
We will continue to work on both of these sub-groups to ensure we achieve our objectives and have an effective dispute resolution process for our members.
Review of the Public Service Sick Pay SchemeIn 2012, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform implemented a unified sick scheme for all public servants and Gardaí, which resulted in significant changes to our sick leave entitlements.
In 2016, DPER commenced a review of this scheme and made some recommendations which AGSI and the other Associations and Unions found unacceptable.
Through negotiations held at the WRC, we managed to secure concessions on many issues we had a difficulty with.
A number of issues remain outstanding and AGSI will shortly attend the Labour Court on an ad-hoc basis with the other Associations and Unions, to have these outstanding matters adjudicated on. We will advise members of the outcome in due course.
Meeting with Minister for Justice, Charlie FlanaganAGSI has only had one opportunity to meet with the Justice Minister since he took up office.
AGSI sees the Minister for Justice as a conduit to raising our concerns at cabinet. It is regrettable that we have been unable to secure more frequent meetings.
Minister Flanagan has committed to meeting the Association when the Dáil resumes, and we look forward to meeting him and raising matters with him which are of concern to our members.
A delegation from AGSI met with Kathleen O’Toole and a number of members of the Commission on the Future of Policing in July. We were anxious to meet in advance of the publication of their report and because there were rumours circulating that a ‘Patton’ style offer would be made to senior managers to incentivise people taking early retirement.
AGSI was eager to register our concerns that any proposed incentive would be confined to senior managers. From our perspective, if an incentive was being considered it needed to be offered across all ranks.
Referencing the ‘incentive’, Ms O’Toole said that she had read media reports that this proposal was being considered, but she refused to confirm or deny that it was being considered by the Commission, or that it had been agreed or rejected.
What she did acknowledge, however, was that if such a proposal was to be considered she would take our submission in relation to the incentives covering all ranks.
She went on to say that there would be nothing in the report that would surprise us and that matters such as training, resources, technology and modernisation would all be addressed.
As things stand any speculation about an incentive package to encourage members to retire early is just that. We will need to await the publication of her report in September before we know for certain one way or the other. We will of course keep you updated.
Meeting with the PFNIA delegation from AGSI met with the Chairman of the Police Federation of Northern Ireland (PFNI) and some of his officer board. This was the first meeting of its kind between officers from both representative bodies.
We felt it was important to hold this meeting to explore areas of common interest to both Associations.
As you can imagine Brexit was the main topic of discussion. Similarly to AGSI, the PFNI recognise that an increased police presence will be necessary along the border regardless of whether there is a hard, or a soft Brexit.
AGSI have concerns about the ability of Garda organisations to provide an increased presence on the border given our current numbers. Interestingly, the PFNI have the same concerns about policing the border in the North.
We have many common concerns including reduced number and demands, reducing budgets and accommodation.
It was agreed that following our inaugural meeting we would meet again in the near future.
CivilianisationAGSI continues to meet with Garda management on the civilianisation programme, which is a key priority for Garda Management, the Police Authority and Government.
We recognise that this programme will be implemented and our concern is the impact on members of our Association.
It is important that Garda management take cognisance of the role our members have played in providing services which required administrative skills when civilian staff were unavailable to fill these roles in the past.
With this in mind, there must be a sympathetic approach to redeploying those committed staff.
Certain principles must be agreed and implemented which will govern and guide the civilianisation programme over the course of the next three years to ensure it is implemented uniformly and fairly.
The civilianisation working group are examining areas which may be suitable for civilianisation. What will determine if a position can be civilianised, is the requirement to use police powers or have police knowledge.
AGSI have highlighted the fact that while some Garda roles may be suitable for civilianisation there will be a need, in many instances, for Garda supervision of the civilian staff performing these roles into the future.
AGSI will monitor all positions proposed for civilianisation and where we believe they are not suitable or require Garda oversight, we will champion the case of members in these roles.
AGSI have been encouraging Garda management to issue official correspondence within the organisation which will allow people understand what is proposed. They are concerned that while there is still negotiations with the Associations there is scope for things to change. Until such time as we have a solid agreement they are not inclined to provide information which could change.
What we can say at this point is AGSI want:
- The process to be open, fair and transparent and an appeals process will be implemented as part of the process.
- Training to be provided for members who are to be re-deployed and a programme should be developed as soon as possible and agreed with the Associations.
- People will be deployed on the principle of last in, first out, on a District basis.
- People who are nearing retirement will be allowed remain in their position until they retire when the position will be civilianised. The time from retirement needs to be agreed. A time-line of between two and five years is under examination at present.
- Members who have been certified by the CMO as requiring light duties will be accommodated in non-operational roles in line with policy.
- Voluntary reassignment should remain available to members during the process.
An Garda Síochána are piloting a new organisation structure in four Divisions. The pilot Divisions are DMR South Central, Cork City, Galway and Mayo.
This model has been under development since 2017. AGSI resisted implementation of the model since it was proposed because we were concerned that there was insufficient detail on the planning and it was not properly resourced. Plans to commence the rollout last January were put on hold and extensive engagement took place with the Associations.
The new model will see the implementation of four hubs overseeing:
- Community Engagement
- Crime
- Governance
- Administration
The Administrative hub will be headed by an Assistant Principal Officer. The finance element of the Administrative hub was rolled out in DMR South Central, Cork and Mayo earlier this month. Galway will commence shortly. The HR element of the hub will commence when resources are available and trained in their role.
The Community Engagement hub will result in some Districts being merged and a Superintendent will take charge of this function. Inspectors will be assigned to administer stations which are merged and lose their Superintendent.
The Crime hub will be responsible for managing serious crime and a Detective Superintendent supported by a Detective Inspector and Sergeant(s). Some crimes will remain under the jurisdiction of the Community Engagement Superintendent.
The Governance hub will be responsible for discipline, risk management, auditing and such activities and will be headed up by a Superintendent.
AGSI are anxious that roles and responsibilities are clearly defined as well as reporting structures in, and between, hubs.
We are aware that reporting structures between Garda and civilian staff must be bottomed out sooner rather than later to ensure the proper functioning of this model.
We have been pressing at all Divisional Policing Model meetings and indeed civilianisation meetings to have this matter progressed as a matter of urgency. The project team tell us that a paper has been prepared in relation to reporting structures and is with the Commissioner.
AGSI have not seen sight of this document and have not been engaged with on its development. We will continue to press this matter at every opportunity.
Once again AGSI are anxious that Garda management would engage in a comprehensive communication programme within the Garda organisation on this initiative but most specifically in the pilot areas.
We will continue to monitor this project to ensure it is properly resourced, and its implementation and any changes, do not adversely impact on members.
Technical Bureau/Forensic Science Ireland (FSI) MergerPlans are being prepared for a merger between elements of the Technical Bureau and FSI. This proposed merger will have implications for our members who consider moving, and for those who remain in the Garda organisation.
At present Photographic and Mapping sections will not be part of the merger. Fingerprints, Ballistics and Document sections are the areas earmarked for merging.
AGSI is working with Headquarters’ Branch and the representatives from the Technical Bureau to ensure the concerns of the members are brought to the table and sufficient information and guarantees are provided to allow members make an informed decision to move or remain within An Garda Síochána.
Members should be assured that when this merger takes place in a manner that accommodates our members’ needs and interests, no change will be evident in how these services operate in crime investigation and court prosecutions.
PensionsAGSI continue to press for a definite answer from the Department of Justice and Finance/Public Expenditure and Reform on the issue of pensions.
We have again sought a meeting with these two departments to address a list of questions we submitted which will provide clarification once and for all, for all members who pay Class A PRSI contributions.
We have included pension matters on the agenda for Conciliation Council meetings. This was done to ensure the matter remained current and in need of a resolution for Department officials and Garda Management.
This is a pressing issue for AGSI, as post 1995 members will shortly be considering their retirement, and they need to understand without any ambiguity or doubt, their entitlements.
Outstanding Matters from the 2016 Labour Court RecommendationsAGSI has once again raised a number of matters which formed part of the November 2016 Labour Court recommendations and which remain unresolved with the Workplace Relations Commission.
The issues include six months buy-back of service, a 39-hour working week and the pay divisor (which impacts overtime payments).
It is our intention that these matters are concluded in a timely fashion as they offer real benefits to our members. We await a date for a meeting at the WRC with Garda management and the Department of Justice.
Branch Committee ElectionsThis is an election year for the Association. New Branch Committees will be elected before the end of the year ready to take up their position at the Branch’s Annual General Meetings in January 2019.
AGSI is dependent on members volunteering to take on the role at Committee level and to represent their colleagues and highlight issues to management.
We have been lucky as an Association in always having enthusiastic and willing volunteers and long may this continue.
We need new men and women to join the Branch Committee network. New members on Committees will operate to support people who have served a long time, to maintain an active Branch Committee structure and to ensure we have a valuable and active network across the organisation.
If you feel you have something to contribute – undoubtedly you have – please consider taking up a position on your local Branch Committee.
If you have any questions about the role you can talk with your local Branch Committee members, the Executive members in your area or the staff at Phibsborough Tower.
To be effective and relevant, our Committees need to represent men and women, Sergeants and Inspectors, young and old, operational front-line and administrative and support supervisors/managers.
I would like to encourage all of our members in Divisions to consider putting their names forward for their Branch in the upcoming elections.
