Garda Ethics & Culture Bureau (GECB)

Ethics-main

Who

The Garda Ethics & Culture Bureau (GECB) is staffed by a blend of sworn members and Garda Staff; one Superintendent, one Higher Executive Officer, one Sergeant and one Executive Officer.

What

Initially, the GECB was founded to commence the implementation of the programme to embed the principles of the Code of Ethics in An Garda Síochána. GSAS facilitated the Cultural Audit of An Garda Síochána, published in 2018 and the GECB is now the centre of cultural reform for An Garda Síochána. GECB are currently working on embedding the Garda Decision-Making Model as the basis for all decision-making in the organisation. Link to Garda Decision Making Model is available here.

Why

The Code of Ethics provides a framework within which all Garda personnel are expected to behave. Enhancing the positive while also addressing the negative cultural behaviours within An Garda Síochána will serve to enhance the organisation and those in it.

When

Since 2018 the GECB have been proactively embedding the Code of Ethics in An Garda Síochána and transforming the culture of the organisation where required.

Address

The Garda Ethics and Culture Bureau is based in the Technical Bureau Building, Garda Headquarters, Dublin 8.

How

We focus on two-way communication in the GECB, using it as an effective method of highlighting what we are doing while seeking feedback and opinions from all members of staff within An Garda Síochána. Cultural change is continuously being observed and measured in the organisation by GECB. Code of Ethics Workshops have provided invaluable information to relating to the Code of Ethics.

The Code of Ethics for the Garda Síochána was published by the Policing Authority in January 2017 in accordance with Section 17 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005. It sets out the standards of behaviour that are expected of everyone who works within An Garda Síochána.

The nine (9) Ethical standards are:

Duty to Uphold the Law

Honesty and Integrity

Respect and Authority

Authority and Responsibility

Police Powers

Information and Privacy

Transparency and Communication

Speaking up and Reporting Wrongdoing

Leadership

As of 31st August 2021, 96% of personnel have signed the Code of Ethics Declaration, declaring their commitment to the nine (9) ethical standards.

The GECB is the cultural reform centre for An Garda Síochána. Since the publication of the first Cultural Audit of An Garda Síochána in 2018, GECB has been implementing the findings of this Audit. This has been based on the key areas identified: Leadership, Speaking-Up, Fix the Basics, Accountability, Merit Based Promotion, Supervision Vacuum, Better integration of civilians and Communication & Feedback.

The Garda Decision-Making Model (GDMM) was launched in 2019 as the tool to be used for all decisions made by members of An Garda Síochána and Garda staff, from spontaneous incidents to planned operations, daily duties to strategic planning. The GDMM is to be applied by individuals or teams/groups to operational policing, non-operational policing and/or administrative decisions.