Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Recent issues surrounding An Garda Síochána have meant that the organisation has not had too much to celebrate recently and we are undoubtedly facing many further difficult days. But today is a day worth remembering because it affirms that people across this country from all walks of life and backgrounds and nationalities are prepared to give of their time to help their communities by serving with An Garda Síochána with pride and commitment.
It’s a great day for the members of the Reserve who are passing out today. It’s a great day for your loved ones who have supported you through your training. Can I please ask the Reserves to take this opportunity to thank them for their support.
It’s also a great day for the College staff who have trained you so well. But it’s a great day for serving Gardai, too. Because we’ve been here. When we joined An Garda Síochána, we joined with enthusiasm. We, like today’s Reservists, wanted to make a difference, wanted to be good Guards. To be here today is to remember – and renew that commitment. To take pride in being part of an organisation rooted in Ireland’s history – and constantly developing.
The Reserve is an important part of that constant development, and I want to talk directly to its new members.
Your task is the task of every serving Garda:
to keep people safe,
work with communities,
give a sense of security to citizens,
create the trust that allows a civilised society to flourish
You may be called on to show great physical courage. You may be.
But be in no doubt: you will be called on to show moral courage. In dozens of small, unspectacular ways. You’ll need the courage to stand up to any consensus that’s easy, appealing – and wrong. You’ll need the courage to question, even when questioning irritates and infuriates people who can influence your future.
Because that’s what a good Guard does. They respond to emerging situations. They know it’s not just about compliance – it’s also about commitment. Commitment to the people we serve, commitment to our colleagues, commitment to constant improvement.
Trust is an infinitely precious thing. You could call it a gift, but it’s more like something that gets lent. The Public lends their trust to An Garda Síochána – but that trust isn’t permanent. It’s not even generational. The public trust has to be won – and won again. Every time you encounter a member of the public, you’re handed the opportunity to build up trust – to help this particular individual in front of you to renew their confidence in An Garda Síochána. That applies to every one of you, every single day you’re on duty.
In the same way, for those of us who manage this organisation, the imperative is to control the reflex that makes human beings want to push back against criticism. Every one of us has that reflex. We’re born with it. But it has to be controlled, because if it isn’t, we reject information that may give us the opportunity to review and renew how we work.
We can’t afford to do that. We can’t afford to turn away from information or insight that would allow us to improve how we work, improve our systems, improve our processes. Any organisation as large and complex as An Garda Síochána needs to be open, not closed, to outside help – even if that help comes in the form of a complaint or a criticism.
In addition, it’s vital, in such an organisation, that senior management listens to the perspective of those working on the frontline. The fact that I came to the job of Commissioner in the middle of a maelstrom of controversy means that I’ve a lot of immediate work to do. But at the same time, I need to meet and listen to people at every level – from new members of the Reserve to top management. Each Gardaí has an incredible level of knowledge and experience – and I need to tap into that.
We need to be more accepting of internal dissent also. Members with a different view can be the catalyst for change, the corrective to inaction, and can bring added value. If they’re listened to, if they’re taken seriously. As they should be. As they will be. We’ll be working hard on changing the mindset so that we don’t view dissent as disloyalty, but rather as an opportunity to improve what we are already really good at doing.
We must also develop strong working relationships with oversight bodies and key stakeholders, such as, for example, the Road Safety Authority. Those strong working relationships can help us improve road safety and improve the quality of life for citizens.
Keeping people safe and secure is central to our collective policing function. It’s the job spec. When we put on the uniform, we subordinate some of our own individuality for the benefit of others. At the same time, we gain a great sense of solidarity, a great sense that – if we do it right – we do a job that matters.
To be able to say "I am a Guard,” is good. To be able to think, "I am a good Guard” is great. That’s what I wish for every one of you. And I seek your commitment: To live up to our values, To confidently demonstrate professionalism and dedication to service.
The reputation of An Garda Síochána is built up, one person at a time. One day at a time, One encounter at a time. That means each one of you can make a contribution to maintaining public confidence. Each one of us should strive every day to improve, even in a small way. And every improvement we make, not matter how small it may seem, will improve how people view us.
Joining An Garda Síochána was one of the best decisions I ever made.
I hope that, a few years further on, each one of you will be able to say that joining the Garda Reserve was one of the best decisions you ever made.
Thank you and well done.
