Senior gardaí will use their annual conference today to fight any further Government cuts in their pay or pensions.
The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI), meeting in Athlone, will also demand that front-line policing must not be affected by spending reductions.
Last week Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan announced an immediate recruitment embargo across all Garda ranks.
The three-day conference will be addressed today by AGSI president Paschal Feeney and Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern.
Keynote speakers tomorrow include AGSI general secretary Joe Dirwan and Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy.
Delegates are due to make calls at the conference for an independent ombudsman’s office to investigate all complaints of bullying and harassment within the force. Other motions call for the end to the payment of performance-related bonuses to senior gardaí and for more transparency in the promotions process.
Motions from local branches also suggest members should be trained in child interviewing techniques and that specialist interview rooms be provided.
The conference will also hear calls for out-of-hours social worker services for children at risk so they do not have to be detained in Garda stations. Some members also suggested gardaí should be removed from escorting prisoners to free them up for policing duties.
Other delegates want digital recording facilities to replace the analogue systems in Garda stations and for formal training to be given to gardaí detailed to patrol and respond to incidents on motorways.
Delegates will also debate a call for the Health and Safety Authority to carry out a risk assessment on all Garda patrol cars for their suitability for use, while another motion calls for gardaí wearing stab-proof vests on duty to be exempted from the dress code that requires them to wear an official Garda tie.