Sir, – The Minister for Justice’s proposal to increase the age level to 50 and reduce fitness standards to join An Garda Síochána is an act of sheer desperation (News, October 13th).
No one in their right minds would want to join a police force at 50 years of age, when most gardaí are retiring, unless they are desperate for excitement or for something to do, putting themselves in harm’s way or dealing with ever increasing bureaucratic oversight or incessant investigations by the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission or internal Garda units.
Whoever thought this was a good idea, including reducing fitness standards so as to accommodate near-pensionable recruits, shows that they have no idea or concept of what it is to be a member of a police force.
The limited pension of 10 years will be worth little to those applying in the upper age limits, given the changes that occurred to pensions and gratuities for new recruits after 2015.
It takes at least 10 to 15 years as a member of the force to equip yourself with the knowledge and understanding of how to properly conduct investigations and have a better understanding of legislative changes in criminal law and case law.
This is nothing other than a deflection by the Minister and others of the ongoing difficulties in the force of retaining and recruiting suitable candidates.
If we start down the road of reducing fitness and age requirements, where will our force be in another couple of decades?
Will we see members of the force being supplied with mobility scooters in order to patrol?
Someone joining at the upper age limits may have life experiences under their belts but they won’t be equipped to deal with the increasing demands made on them or the violence being perpetrated against their persons.
I despair at the direction our force is taking, with bureaucrats, accountants, pen-pushers and political ineptitude destroying the very fabric of an admired and dedicated organisation to one of internal strife and a lack of coherent strategy.
This proposal by this Minister denigrates the professional standards of recruitment and fitness that have been the hallmark of the Garda Síochána. – Yours, etc,
CHRISTY GALLIGAN,
(Retired Garda Sergeant),
Letterkenny,
Co Donegal.
A chara,– With the proposed increase in the maximum age for Garda recruits up to age 50, can we now say that this is no country for old men over 50? – Is mise,
DERMOT O’ROURKE,
Lucan,
Co Dublin.
Sir, – The age limit to join the Garda is to be raised to 50. In the future, what will a 30-year career in An Garda Síochána look like? – Yours, etc,
PETER DECLAN O’HALLORAN,
Belturbet,
Co Cavan.
