“If our relationship is to prosper and grow then we need to listen to one another.”That was the message from Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan to the hundreds on hand at the annual Garda Diversity Consultation Day in Dublin last week.
Addressing guests at the special event in Dublin Castle, Commissioner Callinan said the day offered the force and communities “an opportunity to learn from one another”.
Highlighting some of the activities the Garda has been involved in since last year’s consultation at Farmleigh House, ‘diversity champion’ and Deputy Commissioner WI Rice said much work needed to be done, but that the force is improving every day.
He said the force has created a dictionary of acceptable terms and that the number of Garda clinics and open days have increased, become bigger cultural events that have helped in breaking down barriers.
“I hope you would help us to achieve our [policing] aim,” said the deputy commissioner, who also urged members of the public to “criticise [the Garda] if that is necessary”.
The day also heard from officers involved in community policing. Sergeant Trevor Laffan spoke about how his station in Cork has successfully engaged local authorities, and groups including immigrant support groups in delivering policing services.
Meanwhile, Sgts Brian Sheridan and Vincent Connolly of Tallaght and Blanchardstown stations respectively informed guests that their areas have a diverse population with a large number of Africans.
They also highlighted their discovery, by way of a disco organised by Integration of African Children in Ireland (IACI), of the existence of two black teenage gangs in their areas, following the killing of the Nigerian teenager Toyosi Shitta-bey two years ago.
According to Sgt Sheridan, an organised fight occurred between rival gangs of African youths from Tallaght and Blanchardstown. Information received from black teens in Tallaght who were involved in the fight “helped to avert the violence” that was proposed to take place on the first anniversary of Shiita-bey’s death.
Since then, Sgt Connolly said his station has successfully introduced new initiatives to reach out to black youths.
Other speakers at the conference included Sgt Dave McInerney and Chief Superintendent Anne Marie McMahon of the Garda Racial, Intercultural and Diversity Office.
