improving government service delivery to minority ethnic ... - NCCRI

improving
government
service
delivery
to minority
ethnic groups
Chapter 4: Ireland Research Findings 130_131
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Case Example 23 – Policing
Targeted Recruitment
It has been recognised by the Irish authorities that a multiethnic society needs to be policed in a manner which
reflects the diverse ethnic composition of that society. The Rotterdam Charter, 228 whose principles have been
accepted by the Gárda Síochána, sets out five areas of concern:
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Recruitment and retention;
Training of police officers;
The implementation of anti-discrimination law;
Building bridges between ethnic minorities and police; and
Migrant participation in crime versus police participation in criminalising migrants.
The most significant targeted initiative in this field in Ireland to date has been at the level of recruitment. They
quote the Charter ‘the Police as a Mirror of Society’:
“ The composition of the population in most European cities is changing rapidly and
dramatically. To establish their importance as a legitimate force in society, the police
have a professional interest in reflecting the same ethnic diversity in their organisation.
One of the most important means to reach this goal is recruitment.”
In 2005 the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform announced a significant initiative whereby the
usual requirement of certified proficiency in Irish and English for recruitment to the Gárda was replaced by
a requirement to hold a qualification in two languages, at least one of which must be Irish or English. As the
Minister put it at the time:
“ These new changes will open up entry to An Garda Siochana to persons in Ireland from all
parts of the community and from all ethnic backgrounds. This is a hugely significant step which
will help ensure that future intakes of recruits to An Garda Siochana reflect the composition of
Irish society, to the benefit of the Force and the people it serves. Irish society is increasingly
multi-ethnic and multi-cultural, and the old requirement for Garda trainees to hold an academic
qualification in Irish was a barrier to membership of An Garda Siochana for many persons.”
The change in recruitment regulations followed consultations with a number of Government departments,
consultations with Gárda representative associations, representatives of ethnic minority groups and the
NCCRI. It was accompanied by an awareness campaign to ensure that minority ethnic groups were aware
of the proposed change. To those who expressed concern that the changes could lead to a diminution in the
status of the Irish language, it was pointed out that post-recruitment training in Irish would be provided to all
those who did not have a prior qualification in Irish and that members of the public would continue to have
right to deal with the Gárda, if they so wished, in Irish. Consultations about related issues such as dress code,
religion and integration within the Gárda are ongoing.
(continued overleaf)