Plans are underway to pluck prospective police officers from the immigrant communities when Garda recruitment resumes in 2014.
Speaking at the graduation of Garda Reserves at the Garda College in Templemore recently, Minister for Justice Alan Shatter said the decision follows Government approval to lift the recruitment freeze implemented amid previous austerity budget cuts.
“It is very important for an organisation like An Garda Síochána, given the demanding nature of policing, to receive a reasonably regular intake of new recruits,” said the minister, who added that he expects a large number of applications when the Public Appointments Service launches the recruitment drive.
When asked by Metro Éireann if the force was planning to allow the wearing of religious garments such as the Sikh turban as part of the uniform, Garda officials said they have no plans to accommodate such at present.
In 2007 the Garda faced criticism for banning the turban and other religious and ethic symbols from being worn with the uniform of Garda Reserves.
“There is no doubt that the Garda uniform and dress standards present unique issues in accommodating cultural diversity,” read a Garda statement issued at the time. “These are challenges faced by all facets of Irish society as diversity and integration more and more become real issues.”
It added: “An Garda Síochána has historically been seen as providing an impartial police service, policing all sections of society equally. By accommodating variations to our standard uniform and dress, including those with religious symbolism, may well affect that traditional stance and give an image of An Garda Síochána which the [Garda] Commissioner feels the public would not want.”
The statement went on to claim that the religious symbols ban was made in line with “the principles of an intercultural approach”.
“An Garda Síochána are not advocating one religious belief over another, nor are we in any way being racist,” it added. “We are attempting to firmly retain an image of impartiality while providing a State service to all citizens.”
