Salt but no Pepper
Are we stubborn or just plain foolish? I really do not know but pride does get in the way of a great many decisions being made by us. I say this after reading the recent report that calls for the introduction of the use of pepper spray by the Gardai has been rejected by the Garda Commissioner Noel Conroy.
The Garda Representative Association (G.R.A.) says injuries to Gardaí on the beat would drop by as much as 75% if they were equipped with the spray as an alternative to the traditional baton. I have to say I agree with the suggestion.
Ireland is on a sliding scale in terms of safety and if the Gardai are not allowed to combat those who use varying degrees of weapons to commit crimes then how can the public feel safe? How can we put faith in those that are meant to serve and protect us if they cannot even serve and protect themselves?
Mr Conroy told delegates at the Annual conference of the G.R.A in Westport, Co Mayo, that issuing sprays might lead to incidents that could damage the force’s relationship with the public:
We are almost unique in being an unarmed force… When you step up a gear, is it not automatic that the public steps up a gear?
I’m sorry Mr. Conroy but there are members of the public that have stepped up many gears and what your statement plainly shows is how far behind the times you appear to be and also how far behind the Gardai and the Government are in dealing with crime.
In 2004, 166 officers were attacked so seriously they were off work for three days or more last year, in 2003 there were 161 assaults and in 2002 there were 146. People want to feel safe and understandably Gardai will want to have some level of confidence to have the equipment to efficiently deal with a situation properly.
Every week we read of deaths in Ireland due to fights gone out of control. No longer are fisticuffs used but knives and guns. How can a baton work as a serious threat to a criminal if he/she is holding a shotgun? Surely with a pepper spray it increases the chances of deflating a situation quickly with no permanent damage to either the officer or the criminal?
Do you send soldiers out to war with spoons when their opposition has machine guns? I admire what an officer of the law has to go through because it is not easy and I would imagine the young rookies how come into the job are determined to do the job for the right reasons.
However that determination will soon be lost when we see acts committed on a daily basis that go unpunished simply because the resources are not there to deal with a threat.
Criminals do not fear law enforcement, how can they? Despite what Michael McDowell said, in relation to gangland crime, in 2004 this is not the ‘sting of a dying wasp’ . Mr. Conroy would appear to be living in a fantasy land if he believes that simple measures will out because that’s really worked well so far hasn’t it?
To prevent crime there needs to be a fear instilled and a respect. As far as I can see neither is anywhere near in place at the minute. It would help if the smaller crimes could be accounted for and taken to task, thus building a solid base to try and break the rule of the gangs but no one seems interested.
Wednesday, August 22nd, 2007 and is filed under Thoughts & Questions, Views on News.
Responses are currently closed
Mary Says:
When there is no respect for the law, no threat of reprisal for injustice or violence done, and the nation.s police force are relagated to traffic offences – powerless to defend themselves when called out to violent domestic rows and gangland juvenile fights, I wonder that anyone at all will be a Garda. The bottom line is that in the end they won’t respond at all when there is violence involved against an innocent person – then it will be too late because if no one is there to call on we will have to protect ourselves. Hello American style gun laws! Wake up politicians – they can’t protect ye either – but armed soldiers guarding the money transfers outside the Banks – that’s allowed. Which is more respected in Ireland, the money or the people who voted in these wimps!!!!!
August 27th, 2007 at 4:17 pm
Mike Says:
I agree with you and what constantly amazes me is that this government was voted in again after the chaos of the last ten years…do we ever learn?
August 28th, 2007 at 11:18 am
daniel Says:
a lot of it is about money. the discontent, sense of failure and envy when someone has not got money to live the good life and to be seen as successful. it makes it almost impossible for someone and potentially a large section of europes population to opt out and lead a simple less materialistic life not to mention dramatically lowering their carbone footprint. the reason because you need money to do that as well. so why not have the facility for low impactors who would be happy with less including the stigma of not having! to be able to lead the simple life, a plot to grow food and encouragement to feel fulfilled doing the more mundane but necessary work even on a part time basis. this could be thought out and planned they could be seen to be the enlightened ones whos sense of richness
success and fulfillment is by virtue of them being
comfortable with less and not bombarded with
the pressure of success being associated with materialism, power and stockpiling money?
September 6th, 2007 at 12:40 pm