Madam, - Returning from Cork last week I saw the standard bank cash-delivery convoy with gardaí plus attendant armed soldiery. Why both? Is it purely because only gardaí have powers of arrest?
In the UK, Special Constables play an important role. Service is voluntary but in London alone there are some 700 serving uniformed SC officers and most importantly, they have powers of arrest.
Their main tasks are crowd control and back-up support for regular officers on the beat. This means that fully trained policemen are available for more important duties.
Why can't we do the same? I am sure there would be a myriad volunteers anxious about their children, their properties and themselves who would wish to participate in the regaining of acceptable social standards.
I have no doubt that the well-tried Metropolitan Police training blueprint could be adapted to any special Irish needs.
Recruits could probably be on the streets within three months and the cost to the Exchequer would be minimal. - Yours, etc.,
ALAN J. COOK,
Foxrock,
Dublin 18.